For Immediate Release

	January 17, 2004 NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION TO REVIEW LAWYER HANDCUFFING INCIDENT WASHINGTON - The National Bar Association (NBA) announced today that it will initiate a review of the incident in which a Florida judge reprimanded a defense lawyer by handcuffing her in the courtroom. "Once the incident involving Ms. King was brought to my attention, it was clear that the National Bar Association should review this matter. I have requested Veronica Valdez, President of the Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter of the National Bar Association facilitate a review of the matter on the behalf of the NBA," said NBA President, Clyde E. Bailey, Sr. During a hearing last Tuesday, Osceola, Florida Circuit Judge Margaret Waller had assistant public defender Kemie King put into handcuffs. After being declared in contempt of court, King was held in the courtroom's jury box among criminal defendants while Waller continued to hear cases. "While we respect the rights of judges to maintain order in their courtrooms, there are certain lines. What we would like to discover is if in this case, one of those lines was crossed," said Veronica Valdez, President of the Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter National Bar Association. "If rudeness on the part of lawyers is the issue, then that needs to be taken into consideration. If the misdeed was on the part of the judge, then that is what needs to be taken into consideration." "The National Bar Association has an ongoing commitment to improving the administration of justice, in order to do so, we have to keep many interests in mind," said Bailey. "The NBA understands the importance of preserving decorum in the courtroom and maintaining the utmost respect for judges, but it is also imperative that we protect the rights of citizens by ensuring that lawyers have the freedom to best serve their clients. With both lawyers and judges as members of this association, we can easily understand both sides." The National Bar Association, established in 1925, is the oldest and largest association of lawyers, judges, and law students of color, with more than 18,000 members worldwide. CONTACT: Megan Alexa Carpenter @ 202-842-3900 Email: mcarpenter@nationalbar.org