Columbia lawyer’s license suspended

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Dan Viets, a Columbia lawyer and marijuana legalization advocate, will have his law license suspended for six months for violating Missouri Supreme Court rules against conflicts of interest.

The court issued its ruling Tuesday after hearing arguments last week. He must also pay a $1,000 fee.

Viets represented two siblings in a marijuana and gun case in which each of them was offered a plea deal, according to the complaint filed with the court. One of the deals was contingent on the other sibling's guilty plea, according to the complaint.

Viets argued that suspension was too harsh and that he should instead receive a reprimand.

Viets' website says he concentrates on marijuana cases and has led the Missouri chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws for several years. He also hosts a weekly show on local radio.

Viets can apply to get his license back after six months.