North Idaho Public Defender Suspended

GRANGEVILLE, Idaho (AP) — The public defender for Idaho County the last two years has been suspended from practicing law for nine months.

The Lewiston Tribune reports that Orofino attorney Christopher S. Lamont received the suspension order last month from the Idaho Supreme Court. The court says Lamont violated terms of a previous disciplinary probation having to do with failure to communicate with clients. Lamont declined to comment to the newspaper.

The suspension stems from a disciplinary order Nov. 14 that imposed the nine-month suspension and 1 year probation. The suspension was withheld until the court in August found Lamont failed to comply with terms of the probation.

Idaho County officials say two Grangeville attorneys have been hired as felony public defenders through September.