Don’t Get Disbarred: Ethics & Professional Responsibility For Prosecutors

Don’t Get Disbarred is a must-read for every prosecutor in America. It teaches prosecutors how to stay out of trouble with bar disciplinary authorities. As Warren Buffett says: “It takes twenty years to build your reputation, but only five minutes to lose it.” Veteran prosecutor and award-winning author Morley Swingle presents an informative and often funny work discussing cases from all 50 states where prosecutors were disciplined for misbehavior, receiving everything from censure to disbarment. Professionals accustomed to dishing out punishment are on the receiving end of it. Misbehavior includes: Failure to comply with victim rights laws; Failing to create a “Brady List” of untruthful officers; Presenting perjured testimony; Not correcting perjured testimony; Threatening, bullying or coaching witnesses; Offering inducements to witnesses; Eavesdropping on jury deliberations; Misrepresentations to court or jury; Discovery violations; Tampering with evidence; Flirting with witnesses or victims; Affairs with cops or judges; Sexual relations with defendants; Sexual harassment in workplace; Improper statements to media; Recklessly criticizing judge; Misuse of social media; Fighting with defense lawyer; Incompetence handling caseload; Improper contact with defendants or jurors; Ignoring conflicts of interest; Favoritism in plea bargaining; Jury selection mistakes; Opening statement blunders; Forbidden closing arguments; Unethical cross-examination; Improper direct examination; Inadequate supervision of staff; Practical jokes gone bad; Ex parte contact with judges or jurors; Filing charges without probable cause; Vindictive charging; Implying right to special treatment; Favors for friends and family; Sharing confidential information; Alcohol or drug problems; Criminal conduct; Fixing traffic tickets; Misuse of reimbursements; Undercover investigations gone too far; Making grand jury transcripts public; Entering into release-dismissal agreement Read more