Zach Scruggs Fights Permanent Disbarment

September 18, 2008 in Dickie Scruggs, Public Corruption by Dave Westheimer | No comments

On July 28 Zach Scruggs was permanently disbarred from practicing law in Mississippi. His March 21 plea hearing transcript contains this exchange:

THE COURT : All right, Mr. Scruggs. Of course, the legal profession that you say you love so much, you will not be a part of it the rest of your life. You understand that?
THE DEFENDANT : Yes, Your Honor.

But that was oh so long ago! Now Zach doesn’t see it that way at all. He now claims that Mississippi Bar rules “do not provide for permanent disbarment.” He has asked the Mississippi Supreme Court for clarification and has filed a motion in US District Court asking for a stay of federal disbarment until the question is resolved (Daily Mississippian, Daily Journal).

Rule 6 of the Mississippi Bar’s Rules of Discipline doesn’t contain the word “permanent.” However, it doesn’t appear to provide for reinstatement except in cases of reversal of conviction (or judgment).