The lawyer involved in the controversial “coffin on wheels” case is requesting to serve his 18-month sentence under house arrest, with Poland’s Supreme Court set to determine which court will review the request.
Lawyer’s Request Transferred to Supreme Court
The District Court in Łódź has requested the Supreme Court to transfer the request for house arrest submitted by the lawyer involved in the “coffin on wheels” case to another court. The Supreme Court will decide which court ultimately handles the case of Paweł K.
Decision on Electronic Monitoring Lies with Supreme Court
In March, the defense attorney for Paweł K., who was definitively convicted by the District Court in Olsztyn to 18 months imprisonment, submitted a request to the Łódź court to serve his sentence with electronic monitoring. The case landed in Łódź due to the convicted man’s place of residence.
Łódź Court Cites ‘Good Administration of Justice’
The Łódź court has requested the Supreme Court to transfer the case to another court, citing concerns about “the good administration of justice.” This is due to Paweł K.’s previous profession as a practicing lawyer within the Łódź district.
If the Supreme Court does not grant the request, the District Court in Łódź will be obligated to hear the case.
Previous Request for Suspension Denied
The Łódź court had previously denied the lawyer’s request to suspend the execution of his sentence.
Professional Suspension and Disciplinary Proceedings
Paweł K. is currently suspended from practicing law. The District Bar Council in Łódź will initiate disciplinary proceedings against the convicted lawyer once the grounds for the final verdict are available.
Disbarment requires the loss of public rights or the right to practice the profession based on a court ruling, or a disciplinary court’s decision to expel the lawyer from the bar. A conviction alone does not automatically lead to disbarment.
Eligibility for Electronic Monitoring
Under Polish law, a court can order electronic monitoring for sentences not exceeding 18 months, provided there are no obstacles to its implementation. The convicted individual must have a permanent residence, and any adult cohabitants must consent to the arrangement. Technical conditions for monitoring, including the availability of transmitters and recorders, must also be met.
Fatal Crash and Controversial ‘Coffin on Wheels’ Remark
Paweł K. was definitively convicted on March 5th for causing a fatal accident in which two women died. The District Court in Olsztyn reduced the sentence from the first instance ruling (two years imprisonment and a five-year driving ban) to 18 months imprisonment and a four-year driving ban.
The accident occurred in September 2021 on the Barczewo – Jeziorany road. Paweł K., driving a Mercedes, allegedly violated traffic rules, crossed a double solid line, and entered the opposing lane, colliding with an Audi 80. The driver and passenger of the Audi died at the scene.
The case gained public attention when Paweł K. shortly after the accident recorded and published a video online, stating the accident was a collision between a safe car and a “coffin on wheels,” implying the victims’ vehicle was unsafe and contributed to their deaths. This statement sparked public outrage.
