The Florida Bar Association will investigate attorney Jose Baez to determine if jailhouse hugs with Casey Anthony are violations of its ethical standards. (I doubt that this would be much of an issue if it weren't for those daily six hour visits to his office when Casey was out on bail. Everybody wondered what they could be doing for all that time. Someone actually posted a comment about it last week. She was probably just hanging out watching tv and using the computer, which she wasn't supposed to be doing. But it is coming back to bite him in the butt.)
Eyewitness News broke the story of the displays of affection between Baez and Anthony at the Orange County jail where Casey is awaiting trial on charges she murdered her daughter, Caylee.
Casey and Baez have been seen on numerous occasions hugging each other, holding hands or sitting extremely close (I can understand a hug hello or goodbye, but holding hands. WTF! They are supposed to be discussing her case, not dating). Law enforcement sources said while at the jail, Baez would sit extremely close to Casey. During one visit an officer had to separate the two and warn him about what was called inappropriate behavior.
The jail would only say Baez had violated rules for hugging Casey on two occasions. In an internal email, a corrections officer wrote, “I spoke with Mr. Baez concerning his continued physical contact (hugging) of his client."
A jail spokesman said, "We do not allow contact for security reasons.”
The first time Baez was warned, officials said he told officers he did not know the rules, and was sorry and would make an effort to remember. (He had to be warned more than once. And is this the first time he has ever been to visit a client at the jail.)
The jail email said, “Mr. Baez stated he was upset as he hugs all his clients. He went on to say he would hate for a brief to be filed in order to correct this." (I can understand the jail letting it slide once, but maybe they should have filed the brief the second time because he didn't learn his lesson after the first warning.)
Jail officials said at one time, there was video of the meetings between Baez and Anthony but that video had been recorded over.
The complaint with the Florida Bar was filed by a woman from Indiana who had read about the incident online and felt Baez overstepped his boundaries. The Bar said it would investigate the complaint even though the woman had no involvement in the case. (The Florida Bar should tell her to mind her business. The jail didn't feel the need to file a complaint. This could set a precedent for other cases, and they will have people not involved in cases complaining about lawyer misconduct in all high profile cases. It's going to be a pain.) Baez could have his license revoked if the Bar deems the conduct inappropriate but license forfeiture would be extreme in a case such as this. (I think that Jose Baez probably doesn't hug and hold hands with all of his clients. He is probably falling for Casey, the latest victim to be sucked in by her.)
Also of interest:
Caylee Anthony Update 31 October
Is Cindy Anthony Crazy
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