Grand Rapids —

In a friend of the court brief submitted today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, along with the Ottawa County Bar Association and Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, urged an Ottawa County court to dismiss contempt charges against an attorney who was jailed for asserting his client’s Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The groups’ friend of the court brief was submitted after the attorney’s legal team filed an appeal brief today.

“Our justice system is based on the ability of attorneys to represent their clients vigorously and effectively,” said Miriam Aukerman, ACLU of Michigan staff attorney. “The attorney in this case was thrown in jail for simply doing his job. If allowed to stand, this judge’s actions could set a dangerous precedent in which defense attorneys fear punishment for defending their client’s best interests.”