Attorneys tend to have full schedules and are typically juggling multiple cases at once, running here and there and being called into impromptu hearings.  Forgetting to do something is not uncommon.  However, when the opposing counsel asks for sanctions because a lawyer failed to comply with an order, there are usually two options available -- comply or show up and take the heat.  When either of these seems like just too much to bear, perhaps one could ask for an extension or some help to make sure it doesn’t happen again.  Or, perhaps, just decide to call in a bomb threat, instead, in an attempt to avoid the whole debacle.  Jacqueline B. Jones did just that.  The attorney was charged in May with third-degree falsely reporting an incident, a misdemeanor, after allegedly phoning in a bomb threat to avoid a sanctions hearing against her.  The maximum penalty is one year in jail and a $100,000 fine.

Lawyers, in particular, have to go through very stressful situations. She was in one and she's paid a terrible price."[caption id="attachment_21672" align="alignnone" width="300"]Image Courtesy of Herald Sun

"I sincerely feel bad for her," Guy said. "She must've been under a lot of pressure."What’s most ironic about the entire situation is that the lawyer pulled an outlandish stunt and called in a threat for absolutely no reason at all.  Had she just shown up and listened to the argument against her, she would have heard Peebles deny the request and be able to peacefully move on with her life.  Instead, she is out of a job and due to incur a criminal record.Jones is scheduled to plead guilty on August 4th.

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New York lawyer accused of calling in bomb threat to avoid sanctions hearingSyracuse lawyer accused of making bomb threat to avoid court hearing