Bench Warrant Issued for Missing Lawyer

For nearly a month, longtime Jackson County lawyer Richard Zaharie has been missing court dates and appointments with clients.

He did not call to inform court officials of his absence or leave a forwarding address. Not even his wife, Barbara Zaharie, knows his whereabouts, she told Jackson County Circuit Judge John McBain on Monday.

For his repeated failure to appear in court, McBain issued a bench warrant Monday for Zaharie's arrest. He seems to have abandoned his law practice, McBain said.

There are no current complaints pending against Zaharie with the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board.

However, requests for investigations filed with the state Attorney Grievance Commission are not public. The commission determines whether a request warrants an investigation and, if it does, whether commissioners will file formal charges with the Attorney Discipline Board. Possible penalties range from reprimand to disbarment, said John Van Bolt, board executive director.

People have lost their ability to practice law for walking away from a law practice, he said.

Zaharie was twice disciplined before, but not since 1992, when he was reprimanded for his work in a probate estate case. In 1990, he was suspended for 45 days in connection with two appeals cases.

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Circuit court Judge Issues Bench Warrant for Arrest of Jackson Attorney Richard Zaharie