Stephanie Rapkin (photo by Milwaukee County Jail)
Stephanie Rapkin, a lawyer from Shorewood, Wisconsin, was arrested over the weekend. Twice.
According to authorities, Rapkin spit in the face of a teenaged protester on Saturday, slapped and pushed a protester on Sunday, and kneed a police officer in the groin (also on Sunday).
As reported by Patch, Rapkin was arrested on suspicion of battery and disorderly conduct for the spitting incident on Saturday. Due to the county’s COVID-19 policies, she was not taken to jail. This all occurred after Rapkin used her car to block peaceful protesters. According to reports, she then got out of her car to confront the crowd. As shown in video footage of the incident, the crowd is imploring Rapkin to get back into her car to let the demonstration continue when she spits in the face of high-school student Eric Lucas.
Lucas spoke out about the incident on Monday, saying he felt “physically and mentally shaken” by the incident.
Speaking before reporters in a Monday morning news conference also hosted by school officials, Lucas said “I feel disappointed in feeling unloved by individuals who I have done no harm to,” he said. “Our family does not hate, but does request that justice be prompt and appropriate.”
Besides being a universal symbol of disrespect, spitting into someone’s face takes on a more violent undertone in the time of COVID.
After the shocking behavior on Saturday — directed at a teenager, no less — peaceful protesters gathered in front of Rapkin’s home (photos of that arrest available here). Police say Rapkin began to argue with a protester and slapped and shoved him. When police showed up to arrest Rapkin for the second time that weekend, they say she kneed an officer in the groin. Police are recommending charges of battery, disorderly conduct, resisting an officer, and battery to a law enforcement officer.
Just when you think that, during this time of unrest, we’ve already seen worst of what attorneys think is acceptable, 2020’s there with the “not so fast.”
Rapkin’s behavior has been condemned by local officials:
“The Village Board wants to let the community know we denounce this behavior. We are proud of all the Shorewood youth that stood up to speak about their experiences at the march on Saturday,” the board wrote. “The Village Board recognizes the diversity of our community is our strength and is joining those around the nation to bring an end to violence and injustice towards people of color.”
And an official complaint has been filed with the Wisconsin State Office of Lawyer Regulation. Attorney Michael S. Maistelman alleges Rapkin’s behavior violated the professional code of conduct as well as the Wisconsin Attorney’s Oath which says attorneys must “abstain from all offensive personality and advance no fact prejudicial to the honor or reputation of a party or witness unless required by the justice of the cause with which [they are] charged.”
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).