BIRMINGHAM, Ala. AP – A federal judge dismissed a criminal contempt charge against Mississippi attorney Richard “Dickie” Scruggs on Friday, giving the prominent lawyer one less case to worry about as he fights a more serious bribery indictment.

U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson ruled that an Alabama court lacked jurisdiction to charge Scruggs with contempt for allegedly ignoring an order to turn over documents about insurance claims after Hurricane Katrina.