Jack Thompson gets sanctioned!

[Whack-a-Mole]

Seems our inscrutable judicial system finally had a spasm of common sense.

The Florida Supreme Court sanctioned Jack Thompson to prevent him from ever filing anything with the Florida Supreme Court from now on (another attorney can do so on his behalf).

This guy has been one of the bigger nut jobs out there…about time someone yanked his leash.

May gamers everywhere rejoice!

[Whack-a-Mole]

Sorry…forgot to add this bit…just too funny for words:

The ruling went on to describe one of his most recent filings in which Thompson "pasted images depicting swastikas, kangaroos in court, a reproduced dollar bill, cartoon squirrels, Paul Simon, Paul Newman, Ray Charles, a handprint with the world “SLAP!” written under it, Bar Governor Benedict P. Kuehne, a baby, Ed Bradley, Jack Nicholson, Justice Clarence Thomas, Julius Caesar, monkeys, and a house of cards.

SOURCE: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/82525-Jack-Thompson-Sanctioned

[What_Exit]

Forgive my ignorance, but who is Jack Thompson and why should gamers rejoice?

[Kamino_Neko]

Everything you (n)ever wanted to know about Jack Thompson.

In short, he’s an anti-video game loony toon.

[Revenant_Threshold]

It should be pointed out that he’s not nuts because he’s against video games. I’d disagree with a lot of people who are against them, but I don’t think they’re nuts. Jack Thompson is a complete psycho.

Oh, but wait, he passed his required mental health evaluation. Silly me.

[Whack-a-Mole]

@What Exit?

Forgive my ignorance, but who is Jack Thompson and why should gamers rejoice?

Surprised you have missed him. He certainly does his level best to get his face on TV to rant about the evils of video games (among other things).

Probably the easiest introduction is a lengthy Wiki on Jack Thompson. However that does not quite capture this guy’s crazy, frothing zealousness. For instance within a day of the shootings at Northern Illinois University recently he was threatening a lawsuit against the university for all their records and he felt the guy did it because he played Counter-Strike (absolutely no evidence suggested this and what little was known seemed to point fairly strongly to mental health issues).

Of course a Google will turn up tons more stuff. Also note the Florida Bar Association is after him as well.

[asterion]

I thought that was VT, not NIU. Not that it really matters. Though I do remember when that story broke on Slashdot there were several comments that not only was Thompson an idiot for jumping to the conclusion that the VT shooter played FPSes and that set the shooter over the edge but also comments that Thompson was an idiot for not realizing that Koreans are obsessed with StarCraft, not FPSes.

[smiling_bandit]

Ah yes, Jack Thomspon. What’s so funny on top of everything else is that essentially every time he opens his mouth about video games, he starts spouting incoherent gibbirish, which is factually incorrect (in the extreme) to the extent it can be comprehended at all.

[Whack-a-Mole]

@asterion

I thought that was VT, not NIU. Not that it really matters. Though I do remember when that story broke on Slashdot there were several comments that not only was Thompson an idiot for jumping to the conclusion that the VT shooter played FPSes and that set the shooter over the edge but also comments that Thompson was an idiot for not realizing that Koreans are obsessed with StarCraft, not FPSes.

He did it both places actually. The same drivel from him just sadly similar circumstances.

[Zebra]

Do you think he’ll just move to another state?

[E-Sabbath]

He’s also Mr. 2 Live Crew is evil and also Mr. Body Count is evil. He’s been a media whore for decades.

[Governor_Quinn]

@Zebra

Do you think he’ll just move to another state?

There are two issues that would be a problem with that:

1. Most State Bars have reciprocity agreements, so that sanctions issued by one state tend to follow to other states.

2. If he isn’t already a member of the Bar in a state and tries to become one, I believe that sanctions on his record would make it difficult for him to be admitted to the Bar.

[Miller]

@Governor Quinn

There are two issues that would be a problem with that:

1. Most State Bars have reciprocity agreements, so that sanctions issued by one state tend to follow to other states.

2. If he isn’t already a member of the Bar in a state and tries to become one, I believe that sanctions on his record would make it difficult for him to be admitted to the Bar.

So this has basically ended his career as a lawyer?

[Whack-a-Mole]

@Miller

So this has basically ended his career as a lawyer?

Probably take a lawyer to answer for sure (IANAL) but the way I read it is he is only unable to submit cases to the Florida Supreme Court. Presumably he can still do so in the lower courts and if he really has something that needs Florida Supreme Court attention someone else can submit on his behalf.

So, sounds like he is still in business for awhile. IIRC the Florida Bar is looking at sanctions against him so not sure what may come of that. Looking like the end of the road for him though, can’t even imagine FOX News using him as a talking head anymore and that says volumes about how far your credibility has to sink.

[Gfactor]

This is what the court said:

the Clerk of this Court is hereby instructed to reject for filing any future pleadings, petitions, motions, documents, or other filings submitted by John Bruce Thompson, unless signed by a member in good standing of The Florida Bar other than himself. Under the sanction herein imposed, Thompson is not being denied access to the courts; that access is simply being limited due to his abusiveness. Thompson may petition the Court, but may do so only through the assistance of counsel, whenever such counsel determines that the filing has merit and can be filed in good faith. However, Thompson’s frivolous and abusive filings must immediately come to an end. Further, if Thompson submits a filing in violation of this order, he may be subjected to contempt proceedings or other appropriate sanctions. All other pending petitions, motions, and requests for relief filed by Thompson are hereby denied without prejudice.

Opinions - Supreme Court

So he can’t file anything with the Florida Supreme Court. As I read the decision, he can still file pleadings in other lower courts in Florida. Of course, with this as precedent, any further shenanigans will result in similar orders from other courts. Also, there are two disciplinary proceedings against him right now with the state bar. He will probably get suspended or disbarred, which will effectively end his legal career.

[Bosstone]

Jack Thompson is a shining example of de minimis non curat lex.

[jayjay]

And let’s not forget the filing Thompson submitted which included explicit gay porn images.

[Jayn_Newell]

The only downside I can see from this is that it might give him more time to spout off incoherent gibberish about how computer games iz teh evilz.

[jayjay]

@Jayn_Newell

The only downside I can see from this is that it might give him more time to spout off incoherent gibberish about how computer games iz teh evilz.

Ah, but the upside of THAT is that there would be more opportunities for Gabe and Tycho at Penny Arcade to lambaste him…

[E-Sabbath]

Jack Thompson gets Busted

Guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty. 27 out of 31 charges.

@Judge Tunis

“knowingly making a false statement of material fact or law to a tribunal,” “using means that have no purpose other than to embarrass, delay, or burden a third person,” “engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation,” “making statements that the lawyer knows to be false or with reckless disregard as to the truth or falsity concerning to the qualifications or integrity of a judge.”

Hearing covering possible sanctions, June 4th, final report September. But the judge is reccomending guilty.

I don’t find it likely to change.

And gamepolitics.com is down. Damn.