PUBLIC DEFENDER DISCIPLINED Longtime Kanawha Assistant Public Defender Has License Suspended 30 Days
Reported by: Associated Press
Web Producer: Jeff Morris
Reported: Feb. 21, 2013 10:43 AM EST
Eyewitness News Photo
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
A longtime Kanawha County assistant public defender won't be able to practice law for 30 days because he ignored an error in a client's case.
The West Virginia Supreme Court suspended John P. Sullivan's law license on Wednesday. Sullivan also must work under a supervisory attorney during a two-year probation.
The order came in a 2009 case involving Anthony White. According to the order, an error in a Kanawha County Circuit Court judge's sentencing order delayed White's eligibility for parole for six months.
The order says Sullivan acknowledged taking no action to have the error corrected and ignoring phone calls from White and his family.
Kanawha County Chief Public Defender George Castelle told the Charleston Gazette that Sullivan will remain with the Public Defender's Office.
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