Judge Says Defense Lawyer Didn't Disclose Psych Eval, Refers Him for Criminal Contempt Case
In a highly unusual trial development, a Michigan defense attorney is personally facing a potential criminal contempt charge at the same time that he attempts to defend his client in a related murder case.
Edward M. Czuprynski was targeted for potential prosecution by Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran yesterday after it came out during a hearing that the defense lawyer may have, at least as the judge saw it, concealed information from the court, the Bay City Times reports.
Czuprynski is seeking a psychological evaluation for his client Jeffrey A. Julian II. But Sheeran said Czuprynski stated or implied to the court that an evaluation that was already performed on Julian was merely preliminary, the newspaper reports.
Sheeran has referred the issue to another judge, to determine whether a criminal contempt charge against Czuprynski is appropriate. If convicted, Czuprynski could be jailed for the offense and likely could face sanctions from attorney disciplinary authorities.
