Disciplinary Case Still Pending Against Lawyer Jailed in 2006 Domestic Incident
Iowa revoked the license of just one of its lawyers last year, and has disbarred only 30 lawyers since 2000.
Among the critics of the system is Jill Schmidt, a nurse practitioner who thinks state disciplinary authorities are taking too long to consider a complaint against her ex-husband, sentenced to 30 days in jail in 2006 based on her allegations of domestic abuse. The Des Moines Register interviewed Jill Schmidt and spoke to the judge who oversaw the case.
Judge Colin Witt told the newspaper he was surprised that five years have passed with no disciplinary action. He found Richard R. Schmidt guilty of domestic abuse and first-degree harassment and imposed the 30-day sentence, the story says.
Jill Schmidt had claimed her husband repeatedly choked her until she lost consciousness. Richard Schmidt did not comment when the Register contacted him.
