Oh SNAP! Lindsay Lohan's Attorney SLAMMED In Court, Branded Incompetent, Judge Denies All Of His Motions!
March 1 2013, Published 1:43 p.m. ET
So, how was your day Mark Heller?
Judge James Dabney SLAMMED Lindsay Lohan's New York based attorney on Friday for his lack of California law knowledge -- branding him "incompetent" during a pretrial hearing for the troubled starlet's upcoming lying to cops case, RadarOnline.com is reporting.
And if that wasn't enough already, the judge delivered even further public humiliation by recommending Heller gets some assistance from an attorney who actually knows what they are doing — before going on to deny all of his filed motions – including a request for continuance on the grounds that Lohan deserves "mercy and compassion."
"Somebody needs to come in to assist you who has SOME experience in California law for procedue or Miss Lohan is going to have to come in here and waive her right to have attorneys who are competent in California law and procedure to go forward," Judge Dabney told Heller.
Judge Dabney's concern about Heller's competence to practice in the state of California was spurred by the motions the attorney had filed, which the judge said were "lacking in conformity to California law and procedure....I am somewhat concerned that you have sufficient guidance in criminal procedure in California."
The judge also took issue with the motion to dismiss the case, which should have been filed at Lindsay's arraignment.
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, according to the rambling and long-winded motion that Heller submitted, a continuance needed to be granted because “Lindsay Lohan has made a commitment to herself to elevate her life and participate in activities which will advance her desire to lead a model life…
"And place this case on a slow track so that Lindsay Lohan, during the pendency of this case, can demonstrate her worthiness for compassion and mercy by using her present and future actions to set a glorious example of how a collaborative, constructive and creative case strategy formulated by the Defense counsel, the Prosecutors, and the Judicial System all working together can benefit and elevate a Defendant and Society, as outlined in my Feb. 4, 2013 letter."
Not surprisingly, Heller, who took over Lohan's criminal case reigns at the end of January from her last attorney, the highly respected (and tireless!), Shawn Holley, appeared flustered throughout the proceedings.
There is a plea deal on the table for Lohan to go to rehab for 60 days and avoid jail time -- however, the 26-year-old is refusing to take it because, she vows, she does NOT have a problem with booze or drugs.
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Even if Lindsay isn't convicted of lying to cops, she still could face significant jail time if the judge determines she violated her probation in her necklace theft case -- the trial will begin March 18.
