TALLAHASSEE — Longtime Thonotosassa attorney Robert Arthur Carr has been disbarred and held in contempt of court following a Nov. 21 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations he failed to cooperate in a disciplinary investigation, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
"Carr failed to file a response to the Order to Show Cause issued by the Supreme Court in response to the bar's petition for contempt alleging that following his suspension he failed to provide the bar with his affidavit, failed to respond to the bar's letters, and failed to furnish a copy of the suspension order to his clients, opposing counsels, co-counsels, and to all courts, tribunals, or adjudicative agencies," read the Florida State Bar's Dec. 27 announcement of the discipline and the Supreme Court's order.
In December of last year, Carr was indefinitely suspended following a Supreme Court order until he responded in writing to an official state bar inquiry and until further court order.
Supreme Court of Florida
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The following January, while suspended, Carr entered a notice of appearance and a not guilty plea in a Hillsborough County case, according to the state bar's petition.
Carr allegedly continued to practice law while he was suspended, according to the state bar's announcement.
In its two-page order, the Supreme Court granted the state bar's petition for contempt and order to show cause after Carr failed to file a response. The court disbarred Carr as a sanction.
Carr's suspension was effective 30 days from the date of the court's order to allow him time to close out his practice and protect his existing clients' interests, according to the high court's order. The court also ordered Carr to pay $1,250 in costs.
Florida court orders are not final until time expires to file motion for rehearing. Filing such a motion does not alter the effective date of Carr's disbarment.
Attorneys disbarred in Florida generally cannot reapply for admission for five years and must pass an extensive process that includes a rigorous background check and retaking the bar exam.
Carr was admitted to the bar in Florida on July 26, 1985, according to the state bar's petition.