Georgetown Law Professor Faces New Felony Charges in Domestic Case
Former bank robber turned law professor Shon Hopwood confronts additional legal troubles. New felony charges of obstruction and contempt add to existing domestic violence allegations, complicating his redemption narrative.
Shon Hopwood, a Georgetown University Law Center professor with a remarkable past, is confronting new legal challenges. The former bank robber, who transformed his life to become a respected legal scholar, is now facing additional felony charges in an ongoing domestic violence case.
According to court records, Hopwood is scheduled for arraignment on August 26, 2024, on two counts of obstruction of justice and five counts of contempt for violating release conditions. These charges are in addition to four previously filed misdemeanor assault charges stemming from incidents at his Washington residence in 2023.
Phil Andonian, Hopwood's attorney, has stated that his client will plead not guilty to the new charges, maintaining the same stance as with the earlier allegations.
The case began on September 24, 2023, when law enforcement responded to a call at Hopwood's home. His wife, Ann Marie Hopwood, was reportedly found with injuries she claimed were sustained during a prior altercation. In a temporary protection order application, she detailed four instances of alleged harm.
Hopwood's journey from felon to law professor has been widely publicized. He spent 11 years in federal prison for robbing five banks in Nebraska during the 1990s. While incarcerated, he developed expertise in law, even writing a successful petition to the Supreme Court. After his release in 2009, Hopwood pursued legal education, graduating from the University of Washington School of Law in 2014.
His story of redemption gained national attention, featured on "60 Minutes" in 2017. Hopwood became a prominent advocate for criminal justice reform and joined Georgetown Law's faculty that same year. He co-founded the nonprofit organization Prison Professors and has testified before Congress on reform issues.
"Shon Hopwood is currently on leave from the school."
The ongoing legal proceedings have faced complications. A non-jury trial initially set for early June 2024 was postponed due to the unavailability of a key witness. The new charges have further delayed the trial.
As this case unfolds, it raises questions about second chances and the complexities of personal redemption. Hopwood's situation serves as a reminder that the path to rehabilitation can be fraught with challenges, even for those who have achieved significant professional success.
