Controversial Miami attorney Jack Thompson appears to be burning bridges in Louisiana, the state where he has enjoyed the most success to date in his long-standing crusade against violent video games.

A series of e-mails forwarded to GamePolitics by Thompson detail a rapidly deteriorating relationship with the office of Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti. Foti is a named defendant in ESA/EMA vs. Foti, the video game industry's constitutional challenge to the state's recently-passed video game law.
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In a terse, one-page ruling, Federal District Court Judge James Brady has refused to permit controversial Miami attorney Jack Thompson to file an amicus curiae ("friend of the court") brief in the ongoing lawsuit over Louisiana's recently-enacted video game law.

Thompson, of course, was heavily involved in the Louisiana statute, helping Rep. Roy Burrell (D) draft the underlying legislation, HB 1381. The anti-game attorney claimed in his request to the court that Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti, a named defendant in the case, approved of Thompson's amicus motion.

As previously reported here on GamePolitics, Thompson's request to file an amicus brief - if granted - would have permitted the long-time video game industry nemesis to provide information to the court even though he is not a party to the lawsuit.

Shortly after Thompson made his request to the court, game industry lawyers objected to the Miami attorney's participation on a variety of technical grounds. Among these was Thompson's signature on his amicus motion, which lists him as "Defendant and Co-Counsel." The game industry contends that he is neither. For his part, Judge Brady appears to have found the industry's argument convincing.

Thompson's amicus motion (in MS Word format) can be seen here. The industry's objection (pdf) is here. For all GamePolitics coverage of the Thompson amicus issue, click here.

Want to talk about it? You can discuss this story via the "comments" feature (click below), or in the new GamePolitics Forums...

Should controversial attorney Jack Thompson be permitted to file a "friend of the court" brief in ESA vs. Foti, the First Amendment battle over Louisiana's recently-enacted video game law?

Lawyers for the video game industry say no. The matter is currently before a Federal District Court judge in Baton Rouge. Legislation upon which the contested law is based was drafted by Thompson earlier this year on behalf of Louisiana Rep. Roy Burrell (D).

As revealed last week on GamePolitics, the anti-game attorney requested permission from Judge James Brady to file an Amicus Curiae, or "friend of the court" brief in the case.

Lawyers representing the game industry, however, have filed a motion to block Thompson's request, citing technical grounds. Among the objections claimed by industry lawyers:

-Thompson has no license to practice before Judge Brady's court, either on a permanent or temporary basis

-Thompson's amicus motion claims that he is filing "on behalf of law enforcement personnel and also on behalf of education groups." However, no such individuals or groups are specified nor is there any indication that any such entities have retained Thompson as counsel in ESA vs. Foti.

-Thompson signs his brief as "Attorney, Defendant & co-counsel." Video game industry lawyers argue that he is not a named defendant in the case. Nor has he been retained by any of the actual defendants as counsel. Actual defendants named in the suit are Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti and East Baton Rouge District Attorney Doug Moreau.

It is unknown when Judge Brady might rule on the Amicus issue. The parties are also awaiting the Judge's ruling on the industry's request for a temporary injunction.

For all of GP's coverage of Louisiana's video game legislation, click here.

Want to talk about it? You can discuss this story via the "comments" feature (click below), or in the new GamePolitics Forums...

The ever-controversial Jack Thompson is seeking to file an Amicus Curiae ("friend of the court") brief in ESA/EMA vs. Foti. The constitutional battle between the video game industry and Louisiana over the state's newly-enacted video game sales law is currently before a Federal District Court judge in Baton Rouge.

Aside from the Miami attorney's standard "I've been on the Today Show" bluster, Thompson's motion includes the following:

"Thompson drafted this video game bill, which has now become law, at the request of Representative Roy Burrell."

GP: Rep. Burrell and Thompson are pictured at left during the May 10th session of the Criminal Justice Committee of the Louisiana House. For GamePolitics coverage of the Louisiana law, click here. More from Thompson's motion:

"...Grand Theft Auto: Vice City... is not even speech, let alone 'First Amendment-protected speech.' For example, hand-held controllers... delivers (sic) a jolt back into (players') hands to give them a visceral, pleasurable 'buzz' when a car tire runs over a skull or a machete cuts off the head of a prostitute immediately after intercourse."
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