Singapore Errant lawyer faces ( Court Of Three Judges ) Disciplinary

[Yip Hon]

Apr 5, 2010

Errant lawyer faces disciplinary By Selina Lum

A SINGAPORE lawyer convicted of stealing from a hotel room in Hong Kong two years ago on Monday faced a court of three judges to be disciplined.

The debate before the court - which has the power to censure, suspend or strike lawyers off the roll - revolved around the issue of whether Mr Choy Chee Yean's misconduct was considered dishonest.

Typically, lawyers who commit dishonest acts will receive harsher punishments, such as a striking off or a longer period of suspension.

The court, comprising Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong and Judges of Apeal Chao Hick Tin and Andrew Phang, will give its decision at a later date.

The Law Society argued that Mr Choy, who pleaded guilty in a Hong Court district court to a charge of burglary, committed an offence that contained an element of dishonesty.

But his counsel argued that Mr Choy, who now works as a legal executive in the law firm where he used to be a partner, had pleaded guilty because he did not want to fight a trial in a foreign country away from his family and friends.

 

[KuanTi01]

Apr 5, 2010

Errant lawyer faces disciplinary By Selina Lum

A SINGAPORE lawyer convicted of stealing from a hotel room in Hong Kong two years ago on Monday faced a court of three judges to be disciplined.

The debate before the court - which has the power to censure, suspend or strike lawyers off the roll - revolved around the issue of whether Mr Choy Chee Yean's misconduct was considered dishonest.

Typically, lawyers who commit dishonest acts will receive harsher punishments, such as a striking off or a longer period of suspension.

The court, comprising Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong and Judges of Apeal Chao Hick Tin and Andrew Phang, will give its decision at a later date.

The Law Society argued that Mr Choy, who pleaded guilty in a Hong Court district court to a charge of burglary, committed an offence that contained an element of dishonesty.

But his counsel argued that Mr Choy, who now works as a legal executive in the law firm where he used to be a partner, had pleaded guilty because he did not want to fight a trial in a foreign country away from his family and friends.

Mr Choy pleaded guilty because he simply had no choice at all as cctv & other prmary evidence "nailed" him and not because " he did not want to fight a trial in a foreign country away from his family and friends." As an experienced lawyer, if he thinks he is not guilty, he shouldn't plead guilty at all under any circumstances, knowing full well the dire consequences facing him not just where the crime was committed but back home where the 3-judge court is waiting to be covened. Having said that, I feel sorry for him and his loved ones.
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[jw5]

Mr Choy pleaded guilty because he simply had no choice at all as cctv & other prmary evidence "nailed" him and not because " he did not want to fight a trial in a foreign country away from his family and friends." As an experienced lawyer, if he thinks he is not guilty, he shouldn't plead guilty at all under any circumstances, knowing full well the dire consequences facing him not just where the crime was committed but back home where the 3-judge court is waiting to be covened. Having said that, I feel sorry for him and his loved ones.
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Of course he had to give some reason for pleading guilty right?
He couldn't possibly be expected to tell a panel which had the power to disbar him, that he pleaded guilty because he was guilty.
He was a high earning lawyer, he probably developed some kind of illness which caused him to want to steal, he got caught, now he needs to go for treatment. I don't feel sorry for him because I think he should have got caught, otherwise you never know what he might continue to do. He had his time as a high flyer.
Having said that, let's hope he gets treated and recovers and is able to continue with his life, whether as a lawyer or not.