Attorney Jeffrey William Butcher of Ithaca, New York, practicing in Florida for more than 18 years, has been reciprocally disbarred following a Jan. 11 Florida Supreme Court order after his guilty plea last spring for attempted perjury, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Butcher was convicted in May on a felony attempted perjury charge, to the state bar's notice of determination or judgment of guilt filed with the high court. "He planted drugs in the car of an elected official, called the police to report it and then lied about his role in the matter," said The Florida Bar's Feb. 27 announcement of Butcher's discipline and the Florida Supreme Court's two-page order.
Butcher already was suspended, so his disbarment was effective immediately, and he was required to pay almost $1,257 in costs, according to the high court's order.
In Florida court orders are not final until time to file a rehearing motion expires. Attorneys disbarred in the state cannot reapply for admission for five years and then must pass an extensive process that includes a rigorous background check and retaking the bar exam.
Butcher was admitted to the Florida bar Sept. 17, 1999, according to his profile at the state bar website. Butcher has had no other discipline before the state bar for at least 10 years, according to his profile and a referee’s report filed with the court.
Butcher was convicted May 17 of attempted first-degree perjury, a Class E felony, in Tompkins County Court in New York, according to The Florida Bar's notice of determination or judgment of guilt. Butcher was sentenced to 3 years of a conditional discharge, also known as probation, and an 8-year order of protection, in addition to costs, according to notice of determination or judgment of guilt.
Upon his guilty plea, Butcher was automatically disbarred in New York, according to a New York Supreme Third Judicial Apellate Court memorandum and order issued in August.
Butcher was suspended in July following a Florida Supreme Court Order.