A high-ranking Rhode Island prosecutor is facing professional ruin and a departmental probe after a humiliating drunken arrest that was captured on stark bodycam footage.
Assistant Attorney General James Baum, 42, was taken into custody by South Kingstown police after causing a disturbance while heavily intoxicated. The incident has sent shockwaves through the state's legal community.
Shocking Bodycam Evidence Emerges
The footage reveals a deeply dishevelled Baum, slurring his words and struggling to comprehend officers' instructions. At one point, the senior lawyer appears confused about his own identity and location, a far cry from his usual composed courtroom demeanour.
According to police reports, the incident began when Baum allegedly attempted to force his way into a stranger's home, mistakenly believing it was his own residence. Officers described him as having bloodshot, glassy eyes and a strong odour of alcohol.
A Career in Jeopardy
Baum, who serves as the head of the Rhode Island Attorney General's criminal division, now faces charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. The Attorney General's office has confirmed he has been placed on unpaid administrative leave pending a full internal investigation.
This incident raises serious questions about the conduct expected of those in high legal office and the accountability of public prosecutors. Baum's role involved overseeing criminal cases and upholding justice, making his alleged behaviour particularly damaging to public trust.
The legal community has reacted with a mixture of shock and disappointment, with many noting the severe professional consequences Baum is likely to face regardless of the outcome of his criminal case.
