A Macomb County [MI] defense lawyer is banned from the very court building where he conducts much of his legal practice following an alleged confrontation with security personnel near the building Wednesday.
Timothy S. Barkovic, a St. Clair Shores-based lawyer, was ordered "excluded" from Macomb County Circuit Court following a brief security hearing before Chief Circuit Judge Antonio P. Viviano.
At issue was Barkovic's alleged refusal to put personal effects into a tray on a conveyer belt for examination, and loud or combative language with members of the county Protective Services Office, better known as the "bluecoats" who oversee courthouse security.
"I'm informed this was not the first time this has happened," Viviano said of the incident Wednesday morning as Barkovic was entering the court to resume a jury trial before another judge. "When someone is actively distracting the very people who are in charge of our security, that places us all in danger. That can't be tolerated."
Although from the article it appears that Mr. Barkovic may be a bit of an asshole, I'm not sure that "excluding" a criminal defense attorney from the courthouse when he's in the middle of a jury trial is a very good move. What about the defendant's rights? Details here from the Macomb Daily.