State Bar Sets Thomas' Hearing

The Alabama State Bar's Disciplinary Commission has scheduled a hearing to review its decision suspending Herman Thomas' law license.

The commission issued a temporary restraining order against the former Judge on Monday, three days after Thomas was arrested on allegations that he sexually assaulted inmates from Mobile Metro Jail.

Thomas' attorney, "Cowboy" Bob Clark, filed a petition requesting the dissolution of the order saying "there are no times, dates or places alleged in the notice of suspension that would put Petitioner on notice of what the charges are that he is called to defend."

Thomas, who was indicted last week by a Mobile County grand jury, faces 57 counts of kidnapping, sodomy, sexual abuse, extortion and ethics violations.

According to the State Bar's two page order, evidence submitted to the organization "establishes probable cause to believe that Herman Young Thomas has engaged in improper sexual conduct with criminal defendants in violations of the law and the Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct." But, Clark insists the affiant cited in the order does not have first hand knowledge of any of the incidents. "The only knowledge the affiant has is hearsay from convicted felons," Clark wrote in the petition.

Thomas resigned from the bench in October 2007 when the allegations first surfaced. He was booked Friday in Mobile Metro jail, but quickly posted bond. His first court appearance has not been scheduled, according to the court clerk.

The Disciplinary Commission's hearing is scheduled for April 9th at 10 am.