The Supreme Court of Kentucky has imposed a 181-day probated suspension on attorney J. Todd P'Pool following criminal charges that included driving under the influence and assault on police officers. The court granted P'Pool's motion for the suspension on November 15, 2025, with the Office of Bar Counsel filing no objection to the requested sanctions.
P'Pool was admitted to practice law in Kentucky on April 21, 2000, and holds Kentucky Bar Association membership number 88295. His current bar roster address is listed as PO Box 4166, Frankfort, KY 40604.
The disciplinary action stems from incidents beginning in November 2023, when P'Pool was pulled over by law enforcement in Boyd County following a 911 call about his driving. According to court documents, the responding officer detected the odor of alcohol on P'Pool, who admitted to having consumed alcohol prior to driving.
During the arrest for driving under the influence, P'Pool allegedly threatened and assaulted police officers and caused property damage. The Boyd County District Court charged him with multiple offenses including DUI 1st degree, Wanton Endangerment 1st degree, two counts of Assault 3rd Degree on a Police Officer, Terroristic Threatening 3rd degree, and Criminal Mischief 2nd degree in case number 23-F-00404.
After posting bond, P'Pool was released under conditions that included home incarceration with an ankle monitor at his Franklin County residence. However, while still under these restrictions, P'Pool faced additional legal troubles in April 2024 when he received another DUI charge in Shelby County under case number 24-T-01816.
P'Pool ultimately pleaded guilty to the Shelby County DUI charge and was ordered to pay fines and costs. As part of his sentence, his driver's license was suspended for six months. The second DUI charge while on home incarceration triggered a contempt hearing in Boyd District Court.
The contempt hearing was rescheduled multiple times because P'Pool had enrolled in a long-term treatment facility. On November 13, 2024, P'Pool appeared for the contempt hearing, though the court documents indicate the proceedings did not continue as initially planned.
The disciplinary action relates to violations of Supreme Court Rule 3.130(8.4)(b), which governs professional conduct for attorneys. This rule prohibits conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice or reflects adversely on the lawyer's fitness to practice law.
The 181-day suspension is probated for two years, meaning P'Pool will not actually serve the suspension unless he violates the conditions of his probation during that period. The Supreme Court's order includes specific conditions that P'Pool must meet during the probationary period, though the full details of these conditions were not included in the available court documents.
The Office of Bar Counsel, which oversees attorney discipline in Kentucky, filed the charges under case number 24-DIS-0033. OBC's lack of objection to P'Pool's requested suspension suggests an agreement was reached between the parties regarding appropriate sanctions for the misconduct.
This case illustrates how criminal conduct can trigger professional discipline for attorneys, even when the underlying charges are not directly related to the practice of law. Kentucky's professional responsibility rules require lawyers to maintain standards of conduct that reflect positively on the legal profession.
The multiple DUI charges and alleged assault on law enforcement officers represent serious criminal conduct that the Supreme Court of Kentucky determined warranted professional sanctions. The probated nature of the suspension allows P'Pool to continue practicing law while demonstrating rehabilitation and compliance with professional standards.
Attorney disciplinary proceedings serve multiple purposes, including protecting the public, maintaining the integrity of the legal profession, and providing opportunities for rehabilitation when appropriate. The probated suspension structure acknowledges both the seriousness of the misconduct and P'Pool's efforts to address underlying issues through treatment.
The Kentucky Supreme Court's decision reflects the careful balance courts must strike between protecting public confidence in the legal system and providing paths for professional redemption when attorneys take responsibility for their actions and seek appropriate treatment for substance abuse issues.
P'Pool's case will likely serve as a reminder to legal professionals about the intersection between personal conduct and professional responsibilities, particularly regarding substance abuse and interactions with law enforcement. The two-year probationary period will determine whether the suspension ultimately becomes effective or whether P'Pool successfully complies with all conditions imposed by the court.