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Judge refuses attorney withdrawal; counsel ordered to remain on defendant's case
Summary
On the July 14 internal calendar call, Judge Tammy Long Hayward declined to sign a motion to withdraw counsel in a case involving Eric Barnett, saying she would not permit the attorney to leave and instructing the firm to keep trial preparations on track.
Judge Tammy Long Hayward declined to sign a motion to withdraw counsel in the matter involving Eric Barnett during the court's July 14 internal calendar call, and ordered the attorney of record to remain on the case.
The judge told the attorneys she would not allow the withdrawal, saying, “I'm not allowing you off this case. You took the case knowing you were gonna represent somebody.” She added she would not “go to the bar” over the matter and that the attorney remained the attorney of record for the upcoming trial.
Courtroom discussion showed the motion to withdraw was filed earlier that morning. An attorney who identified herself as “of counsel” to Chacole Rogers Law Firm said she filed paperwork after an in‑firm agreement terminated; she told the court, “I was required…that’s why I filed it.” The court replied that the filing did not by itself remove counsel and that any withdrawal requires the judge's approval.
The judge instructed the defense team and the clerk that the case remains set for trial preparations and that the attorney who has entered an appearance must be present. The court also advised defense counsel how to handle client logistics: if clothing is needed for the defendant at the jail, deliver it to the jail so deputies can prepare the defendant for court.
No formal substitution of counsel was signed on the record during the call. The court repeatedly emphasized it would not permit last‑minute withdrawals without its approval and warned that an appearance on the calendar creates continuing obligations in that case.
The ruling applies specifically to the withdrawal filing addressed in the July 14 calendar call; the judge did not rule on other unrelated motions or filings in pending matters.
Courtroom speakers who participated directly in this exchange included Judge Tammy Long Hayward; Zakia Watson Cafe, who announced readiness for trial on behalf of part of the defense team; Attorney Ross (representing the law firm that raised the issue); and an attorney identified in the record as “Of Counsel” to Chacole Rogers Law Firm who explained why the withdrawal document had been filed.
The court scheduled the defendant to appear for trial‑calendar business on the next Monday at 9 a.m. and told counsel to make jury and pretrial preparations accordingly.
