New Orleans-based attorney Jason Cantrell probably would like to start the week over. Cantrell, who has a private law practice and also serves as a part-time assistant city attorney, was in court talking with police officers when a joint fell out of his pocket and landed in front of the cops.
 
We’ve heard of a defendant getting caught with a pipe in court. And even a defendant inadvertently dropping a bag of pot in front of a judge – “the baggie fell right on top of the court officer’s shoe.” But an assistant city attorney?
 
The 43-year-old Cantrell is a first-time offender and, thanks to New Orleans’ effort to issue summons to marijuana offenders (rather than hauling them to jail), he was cited for possession and released.
 
But given his profession and position, more is at stake for Cantrell than the outcome of his upcoming court date.
 
His father is the Magistrate Commissioner and his wife, LaToya, is running for City Council. And she is not thrilled:
 
“I absolutely do not condone his actions … I love my husband unconditionally and am very concerned for his health and well-being, and for that of our family … I hope that this incident will encourage Jason to seek the [sic] professional help.”
 
Yet despite this plea to seek professional help, it would seem that Cantrell was doing fairly well as a secret stoner. After all, he has practiced law for 17 years in New Orleans and was a public defender in Juvenile Court for six years. He was even up for a Juvenile Court judgeship in 2009.
 
A New Orleans City Hall spokesman confirmed that Cantrell was not on the clock for the city when he was betrayed by his joint. Additionally, the spokesman confirmed that Cantrell was suspended without pay during an investigation into the incident.
 
However, according to the New York Daily News, Cantrell was so embarrassed by his bust that he resigned from his part time city gig.
 
More @ www.nydailynews.com & www.nola.com