Charlottesville lawyer charged with assaulting client

Charlottesville lawyer Frank Buck will appear in court today, defending a misdemeanor charge that he assaulted a client.

According to an account in The Hook, Charlottesville’s alternative weekly, Buck and a client argued in a J&DR courtroom during a court recess. Buck allegedly put his hands on or around Milton L. John’s neck, then dropped them.

Buck, who served as mayor of Charlottesville in the 1980s, is one of the city’s best-known attorneys. He has represented John for three or four years, and the argument allegedly stemmed from an accusation by John that Buck failed to take proper steps to get an old domestic abuse charge expunged.

– Paul Fletcher

UPDATE: The Daily Progress reports that Buck’s hearing has been continued until Dec. 13. The reason: Potential conflicts. Prosecutors and Charlottesville General District Judge Robert H. Downer can review and decide whether to withdraw from the case due to professional and personal dealings with Buck.