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Contempt Finding Thrown Out In Defense Lawyer Handcuff Case

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Nevada state court judge has thrown out a contempt finding against a deputy public defender who was handcuffed by a Las Vegas judge who then sentenced her client to jail for petty theft.

The deputy Clark County public defender, Zohra Bakhtary, says she feels vindicated by the Tuesday ruling.

Clark County District Court Judge Gloria Sturman undid the May 23 contempt finding by Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Conrad Hafen.

Bakhtary's attorney, Dominic Gentile, says Bakhtary was only doing her job advocating for her client.

Hafen and his attorney didn't immediately respond to messages.

Hafen said at the time that he ordered Bakhtary taken into custody to teach her a lesson about courtroom decorum and etiquette.

Bakhtary said she wanted the judge to consider not jailing her client.

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