Georgia
Georgia high court wants tougher discipline for lawyer who took part in Jan. 6
Americus attorney William McCall Calhoun wanted to get his license back, but the Georgia Supreme Court suggested disbarment.
The Georgia Supreme Court has recommended Americus attorney William McCall Calhoun, seen here in a 2022 file photo, be disbarred for his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
The Georgia Supreme Court rejected recommendations that a Middle Georgia attorney be publicly reprimanded for his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot and suggested that he be disbarred instead.
In a unanimous opinion released Wednesday, the justices wrote that William McCall Calhoun knew he was breaking the law when he joined the first wave of supporters of President Donald Trump who forced their way into the Capitol. His actions on that day, many of which Calhoun posted in messages and videos to social media, were “very serious” and “reflect adversely on his fitness as a lawyer.”
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A screen capture from a prosecution exhibit in the case against Americus attorney William McCall Calhoun Jr. shows a post by Calhoun on Parler of Jan. 6 rioters inside the Capitol Rotunda and Calhoun’s threat that they were “coming back armed for war.” (Courtesy of U.S. Department of Justice)
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Joyner is the deputy politics editor. He has been with the AJC since 2010 as a member of the investigations and politics team.