New Jersey Attorney Ethics?

Question

If a New Jersey Attorney has his license suspended for DWI, and he is driving on that suspended license, is there an ethical issue as well as the traffic issue? The attorney took an oath to uphold the law and is now knowingly breaking it. Ethical Violation for his profession?

Answer 1

Perhaps there is an ethical violation. However, it is really unfair simply because this person is a professional that someone uninvolved intervene. Just because he has a suspended license does not mean that he is now driving around drunk. If you report this person and they lose their license to practice they will contribute less to society (taxes and legal services) and possibly downward spiral into complete alcohol dependency and unemployment (welfare). It will result in a net loss. Unless this person is endagering others, mind your business and don't get involved in this person's driving violations.

Answer 2

There is no direct ethical violation, BUT there is the fact that by knowingly breaking the law while driving, he is committing deception - and the legal profession Ethics rules will not tolerate deception by an attorney. Sounds like this person has a substance abuse problem, see if you can report his subtance abuse to the local bar association and someone can contact him for treatment before he kills someone.

Answer 3

I would not call this person an attorney just because he has a title, I would call him or her a law breaking citizen whom does know the law and cannot abide by it, Ranks does have it's privaliges but a drunk is a drunk and should never get behind a wheel to drive in this condition. That is why the taxi service was created for.I feel very strongly about this .Because I am a victim of a drunk driver and am , disabled due to this, and they were high ranking people behind the wheel..