Herman Thomas disbarred for five years

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The Alabama Bar Association has disbarred former judge Herman Thomas. He appeared at a closed-door hearing on charges that he violated rules of professional misconduct.

Thomas walked out of a courtroom in silence. After he had been disbarred from the Alabama Bar Association, he would not talk to reporters. But his attorney Robert Clark did.

"Can't come as a big shock to anybody. The only time you get justice in this world is when you have a jury of 12 people. He didn't have a jury," Clark said.

During the disciplinary hearing, Thomas admitted to spanking nearly five young men outside the courtroom.

"He admitted that he would be requested by parents of other certain young males to paddle them or to spank them as a matter of corporal punishment," Tony McLain with Alabama State Bar said.

McLain said Thomas could not remember the names of the young men.

Thomas denied spanking inmates, but McLain said the panel found that he did.

The former judge has been disbarred for five years. McLain said it is not common for this happen.

Thomas was acquitted in 2009 of paddling inmates in exchange for leniency in his courtroom. Some of those who testified in Monday's closed-door hearing included Senator Vivian Davis Figures and two inmates who testified at Thomas' trial in 2009.

Mobile District Attorney John Tyson, Jr. expected this, but is nonetheless disappointed.

"It's a very sad day in this county when a former judge loses his license because of his behavior on the bench," Tyson said.

Thomas now has 42 days to appeal this decision.

Thomas also holds a law license in Florida.

McLain said the Florida Bar Association will be notified that Thomas has been disbarred.