Criminal defense lawyer pleads guilty to drug charge

Aug 19th, 2010 by Mark Cohen

Roseville criminal defense lawyer Chuck Ramsay

It seems like a no-brainer to me — don’t bring cocaine into the courthouse. But it’s a lesson that Roseville criminal defense attorney Chuck Ramsay apparently had to learn the hard way.

Chuck Ramsay, 43, pleaded guilty today to third-degree possession of cocaine, according to the Winona Daily News. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 20.

Here’s more from the AP:

In January, Ramsay was defending Jack Nissalke on charges of terroristic threats in a murder investigation when police saw him leave a courthouse bathroom “sniffing profusely” and pinching and wiping his nose, according to the Winona Daily News. Ramsay was charged with third- and fifth-degree possession of cocaine after sheriff’s deputies found five grams of cocaine in his pocket and belongings, the paper said.

Nissalke, who was convicted of murder in the 1985 stabbing death of Ada Senenfelder, is appealing his conviction and automatic life sentence, citing in part his attorney’s cocaine-related arrest.

Hmmm. So many ways I could go with this one. But today I will take the high road and settle for giving another plug to Lawyers Concerned For Lawyers.

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5 Responses to “Criminal defense lawyer pleads guilty to drug charge”

Martha Albertson says:

August 19, 2010 at 10:02 pm

I am glad you took the high road. Never underestimate the power of addiction. Chemical dependency is a disease, not a moral failing. Mr. Ramsay was a great lawyer before this intervention. I can’t wait to see what he will accomplish now.

Let’s all wish him well.
Ex-RB says:

August 19, 2010 at 11:27 pm

While chemical dependency may be a disease, it’s pretty hard to dispute that many times that dependency is brought on by moral failings.
Mark Cohen says:

August 20, 2010 at 9:59 am

I will leave the question of whether or not a moral failing is involved to someone with a pulpit rather than a blog. What I can say is this: It’s a legal failing; the failing has real consequences both to Ramsay as an individual and as a lawyer; it would be best to all involved (including the profession and his clients) if he gets the help his conduct seems to indicate he needs (and hopefully he’s already getting that help).
Mike Bryant says:

August 20, 2010 at 9:27 pm

What would you do other than take the high road. I guess if you had something personal against him, this is an opportunity to kick him. Hopefully for Chuck and his family this will be a opportunity to deal with these problems in a positive manner.
Mark Cohen says:

August 21, 2010 at 12:20 pm

Mike –
By the “high road” comment I meant this is a situation rife with irony given such things as the attorney’s practice area, where it happened, etc., but in this case I decided to let those types of comments pass.

From what I know of Mr. Ramsay, he seems like a personable individual who is very passionate about doing criminal defense work. The situation is an unfortunate one — and I do hope, as you say, it becomes an opportunity to deal with whatever issues are there. On that, I also wish him the best.