Eric Atria: “Recovered and reinvigorated, I decided to act. I started with those who gave so much of themselves to lift me through my recovery. I began to focus on how I could be a better father, husband, and friend. I began finding ways to reinvest and volunteer in my community. Most importantly, I became more committed to my profession than ever before. I am always aware that I must approach each case with my best efforts. I have accepted that I can protect my clients’ constitutional rights while acknowledging and respecting a victim’s struggle.”

Why am I on the floor? It felt like I had been struck by lightning. I could see the judge, assistant state attorney, and bailiff all looking down at me in horror. I knew I was supposed to be in trial, but how long ago was that? And again, why was I on the floor? The last thing I could remember was a witness taking the stand and the judge saying, “Raise your right hand and face the clerk.” Then everything went black. “What happened?” I managed to ask through a jaw that no longer worked. “Your client hit you,” said the bailiff. Not one to miss a joke, I said, “Judge, I move to withdraw.” No one laughed.

As I tried to sit up, I could feel pieces of teeth in my mouth. Someone asked me who the president was. “Barack Obama,” I grunted, although I immediately knew this was wrong. The room started spinning and I fell back to the ground, laughing at my presidential error. No one else was laughing. I heard a voice say, “An ambulance is on the way,” and I began to realize that nothing about this was funny. I was in trouble.

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