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How Not to Take a Deposition

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I rarely find much of interest in the California Bar Journal, but this entry in the attorney discipline section caught my eye (emphasis added):

DOUGLAS JAMES CRAWFORD [#202274], 53, was stripped of his law license Sept. 23, 2016, after he walked out of the courtroom during his disciplinary trial and did not return. Crawford's default was entered as a result and because he did not move to have the default set aside, the State Bar filed a petition requesting his disbarment.

The State Bar Court found Crawford culpable of four of the eight charges against him. Crawford engaged in conduct that involved moral turpitude by taking pepper spray and a stun gun to a deposition, threatening to use them on opposing counsel if the deposition "got out of hand" and discharging the stun gun while pointing it toward opposing counsel. Crawford was representing himself and his mother in an action against JPMorgan Chase Bank at the time, and "filed an opposition that was openly contemptuous of the trial court," according to an unpublished opinion by the 2nd District Court of Appeal.
Assault with a stun gun is what is known as a "wobbler" in California, punishable as either a misdemeanor or a felony in the discretion of the court.  See Penal Code ยง 244.5.

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I've passed along this practice pointer to a few of my colleagues -- thanks for the helpful advice!

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