Former TV judge Joe Brown on disability status, unable to practice law

June 28--Joe Brown, the former TV court and criminal court judge who ran for Shelby County District Attorney General, is unable to practice law after the Tennessee Supreme Court placed him on disability inactive status.

Disability inactive status designates that a lawyer is temporarily disabled and unable to practice law. Lawyers can resume practice when they prove to the state Supreme Court that the disability has been removed.

"Many times the issues are self-reported by the attorney, who asks for the assistance of the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program," said Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Chris Craft who works with the TLAP in helping lawyers in need. "All Board issues are confidential unless a complaint is filed by the Board and a public hearing is had. We want to encourage attorneys who are having a difficulty to self-report and get help."

The assistance program is a confidential service for lawyers, judges and law students providing help with issues including depression, stress, substance abuse and anxiety.

Some reasons for the disability status can include issues such a depression or when a lawyer is battling addiction or other life issues.

"Sometimes it is for temporary health reasons such as a brain tumor, age-related diseases, etc.," Craft said.

Brown had a petition for discipline pending against him from October 2015.

Supreme Court rules allow that if during the course of the proceeding, the lawyer cannot successfully defend himself because of a disability, the proceeding cannot continue. The lawyer can bring up the issue or the disciplinary counsel can discover it.

"He brought it to our attention," said Sandy Garrett, chief disciplinary counsel of the Board of Professional Responsibility.

Garrett declined to comment on the reason for Brown's disability. Supreme Court rules keep documents other than the order transferring Brown to disability inactive status confidential.

___

(c)2016 The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.)

Visit The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.) at www.commercialappeal.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.