Florida Bar v. Welch

We have for review the report of the referee in this Florida Bar disciplinary proceeding.

Respondent, a member of the bar, was the attorney representing a criminal defendant in circuit court in Duval County. While the jury was out considering the verdict in his client’s case, respondent asked the client if he minded if respondent left the courtroom to keep a bowling date. The client, his parents, and his wife assented; respondent, however, never informed them that the jury might come back to ask questions of the court. Respondent left without leaving a telephone number or an address where he…