Roger Plawker Quoted in New Jersey Law Journal Article regarding Cyberstalking and Attorney Misconduct
Roger Plawker, Partner and Chair of the Attorney Ethics & Professional Misconduct practice group at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden, was quoted in the New Jersey Law Journal article, “Stalking and Cyberstalking Nets Back-to-Back Attorney Suspensions – But Should It Go Further?” The article discusses the penalties for two attorneys who were convicted of stalking and cyberstalking.
Roger Plawker, chair of the attorney ethics and professional misconduct practice at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden in Hackensack, pointed out that, as with any suspension, the attorneys convicted of stalking and cyberstalking must apply to be reinstated, which may be denied. (Plawker was not involved in either case.)
“In these cases, both attorneys will require medical certifications regarding their fitness to practice,” Plawker said.
Plawker also noted that it was clear the DRB sought to be consistent with available precedent, which didn’t exist in New Jersey with regard to the cyberstalking case.
“The DRB was open about the absence of precedent for the specific federal crime of cyberstalking and searched nationally for a comparable case,” Plawker said. “It found a case in Colorado with similar facts in which a three-year suspension was imposed. Again, the severity of the conduct in [the cyberstalking case] caused the DRB to impose a longer suspension than in any other case in New Jersey involving the broad category of stalking/harassment. Still, two members recommended disbarment.”
To view the full article, click here.
