John Gary McDougal, a Chattanooga attorney, has received a Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Officials said, "Mr. McDougal failed to adhere to filing deadlines as set forth in the Rules of Appellate Procedure and thereafter failed to comply with orders filed by the Criminal Court of Appeals. Mr.
McDougal was found to be in contempt of court for his conduct.
"By these acts, John Gary McDougal has violated Rule of Professional Conduct 1.3 (diligence), 3.2 (expediting litigation), 3.4(c) (disobeying an obligation under the rules of tribunal), and 8.4(a) and (d) (misconduct), and is hereby Publicly Censured for these violations."
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorney’s ability to practice law.