Video: Lawyer asks for conviction of client and judge considers defendant defenseless

A lawyer asked for his own client's conviction at a hearing at the TJSC (Santa Catarina Court of Justice), during the process in which he was charged with drug trafficking and illegal possession of a firearm. The case occurred on May 28, in a virtual session held by the 3rd Criminal Court of the District of Florianópolis.

The hearing was led by judge Carolina Ranzolin Nerbass, who did not agree with the allegations made by lawyer Rodrigo Pantaleão and considered the defendant defenseless.

The session was an instruction session, a phase of the criminal process in which witnesses and the defendant are heard, allowing the judge to form his opinion before assigning a final sentence.

CNN Brasil had access to the audience. In the images it is possible to see that, during much of the session, the man's lawyer barely looks at the camera and only remains on his cell phone.

At the time of the closing arguments, the defender agrees with the accusations of the MP (Public Prosecutor's Office) prosecutor, asking for the man's conviction.

"The defense corroborates the statements made by the prosecutor. Nothing more, Your Excellency", he said.

The response surprised the judge who, however, did not consent to the situation and considered the defendant defenseless. "I cannot accept your closing arguments, doctor. I will consider the defendant defenseless," he stated.

Soon after, she turns to the accused and says: "Next sir [defendant], you deserve a defense, even though you have admitted part of the illicit issues", she concludes.

Watch the video:

https://admin.cnnbrasil.com.br/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/06/AUDIENCIA.mp4

The judge then asks the accused to present a new defense. Faced with the repercussions, the man's family appointed a new lawyer to defend him in the process, Dr. Nathália Poeta.

"From now on, the conduct of the case will be guided by strict observance of due legal process and constitutional guarantees that ensure the full exercise of the right to defense," she told CNN Brasil.

In a note, the Court of Justice of Santa Catarina informed that the process will continue and that a new hearing must be scheduled before the trial. There is no set date for the session yet.

When contacted by the report, the OAB of Santa Catarina (OAB-SC) informed that it does not tolerate conduct that could represent a violation of the duties of the law and stated that it will investigate the case.

CNN Brasil tries to contact the lawyer for a demonstration. The space remains open.

See full note from the OAB
The Brazilian Bar Association - Santa Catarina Section (OAB/SC) informs that, as soon as it became aware of the facts disclosed involving the actions of a lawyer during a criminal hearing held in the District of the Capital, it officiated the magistrate responsible for the process, requesting information and documents related to the incident, in order to fully understand the circumstances of the facts and evaluate the possible adoption of the measures provided for in the Law and OAB Statute.

The OAB/SC acts firmly in the defense of professional prerogatives and the indispensability of law for the administration of Justice. With the same rigor, it does not tolerate conduct that may represent a violation of the ethical duties inherent to the exercise of the profession.

If disciplinary infractions are found after due investigation, the appropriate procedures may be initiated within the scope of the Ethics and Disciplinary Court, which are processed under legal secrecy.

Advocacy must be an example for society. Therefore, the OAB/SC maintains permanent action both in the protection of professional prerogatives and in the ethical supervision of legal activity. In the last five years, the Sectional has imposed 557 suspension sentences and excluded 69 lawyers from its staff.

*Under the supervision of Carolina Figueiredo

Source: CNN