Judge: Hudson Valley Lawyer Showed Up Drunk to Defend Drunk Driver

A Hudson Valley lawyer is accused of showing up to court drunk. Ironically, he was there to defend his client, who was charged with DWI.

John Murray was a Rockland County assistant public defender before Thursday's incident resulted in his arrest and resignation. According to The Journal News, the lawyer was charged with drunken driving and cited for contempt of court.

The 51-year-old appeared before Justice David Fried at Spring Valley Justice Court on Thursday to represent a client for felony DWI. During the hearing the lawyer was cited with contempt for "acting belligerent and disrespectful." After refusing to apologize for his behavior, Murray spent the night in jail. He was then charged for DWI.

The next day Murray appeared back in court and apologized for his behavior. Later he resigned from his part time job as assistant public defender. Murray still faces misdemeanor DWI charges and is scheduled to return to court on October 21.