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erickacourtney
Eyewitness News discovered a man arrested for practicing law without a license was back in court Tuesday on another case. Rufus Hawkins said he never claimed to be an attorney and his arrest by the sheriff’s office was a mistake. In documents, he referred to himself as “attorney in fact.” However licensed lawyer, Mike Gibson, said there’s no such thing.
A woman who was accused of petty theft was set to go to trial Tuesday and she wanted Hawkins to represent her in the criminal case, but a judge wouldn’t allow it.
RAW INTERVIEW: Fake Lawyer Lashes Out At WFTV Rufus Hawkins, 24, lashed out (watch interview)visit www.wftv.com to view the live footage of Rufus Hawkins, when Eyewitness News asked him why he was back in court, following his arrest last week for practicing law without a license. One judge complained to the Florida Bar about Hawkins and deputies arrested him in a courtroom Friday, just minutes after he made an argument on behalf of petty theft defendant Talunda Pringle. Tuesday, Hawkins said the arrest was a mistake. “The Orange County Sheriffs Office arrested you for practicing law without a license,” WFTV reporter Mary Nguyen said. “Well they are wrong,” he replied. But according to court documents, Hawkins filed several motions on behalf of clients in civil, criminal and family court. Hawkins bonded out on Saturday and he was back in court on Tuesday for Pringle’s trial. Pringle told a judge she still wanted Hawkins to represent her. “He is talking on my behalf,” Pringle said. “He cannot talk on your behalf, he is not a licensed attorney in the state of Florida,” a judge stated in court. Hawkins calls himself “an attorney in fact” and claims he isn’t doing anything illegal.
Licensed attorney Mike Gibson reviewed court documents that Hawkins has filed and said the man will have a hard time arguing he was not practicing law. “He was filing pleading and he was arguing in front of judges,” Gibson said. “I never represented myself as a lawyer in the world,” said Hawkins. “Then why would they arrest you?” Nguyen asked. “That’s a good question, nobody knows,” he replied. Hawkins has been kicked out of two courtrooms for allegedly practicing without a license. He is currently out on a $2,500 bond. Pringles trial has been rescheduled.
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Wow, Rufus has done it again. There is no stopping this young man. I can see that he has gumption, and he has spunk, wow that would make for a great attorney some day. Mockery of the judicial system, well I am waiting for some comments to come in to support this claim. I’m wondering why you all out there are so quiet. Only one man has come forth with his thoughts on the subject matter. Does this scare you that this man who has not gone to college to profess this genius is actually able to handle and argue case better than some professional licensed litigators? Hmmm makes you wonder what else is out there. Be my guest, leave a comment. We want to hear what you have to say on this case. Is he wrong? Is he right? You could care less? Rufus has a point if he is not representing himself to be a licensed attorney. I did a research on his name and there is no such name of him being listed as an attorney. I cannot understand how they are finding him, perhaps he is finding them. Perhaps he walks around with business cards and posts them.
Anyone have any idea how Rufus is getting away with this?
Filed under: Ericka Courtney | Tagged: Orlando Florida Rufus Hawkins trial cases attorney fake attorney, Rufus Hawkins fake attorney, Rufus hawkins lashes out, Rufus Hawkins returns to court, Woman asks Rufus Hawkins to represent her
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