The Duke Boys’ prosecutor was in court today, facing contempt charges for his handling of evidence in the lacrosse rape case.

DURHAM, N.C. — Disgraced former prosecutor Mike Nifong pleaded not guilty Thursday to criminal contempt charges stemming from his failure to turn over complete DNA testing results during the now-discredited Duke lacrosse rape case.

Unfortunately, the possible penalties are rather light.

If found in contempt, Nifong could face up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.

And of course, Mr. Nifong claims he did nothing wrong.

Nifong’s attorney, Jim Glover, said Nifong never intentionally tried to mislead the court. He believed he was being truthful when he told the judge he had given the defense all the DNA testing results, though he didn’t always know the specifics in every report, Glover said.

If Mike Nifong is telling the truth, then we have little choice but to conclude that he is one of the most grossly incompetent prosecutors ever to pursue a case. The public itself could plainly see the bumbling and inattention to the evidence (or lack thereof) where he apparently could not. But if, however, he knew full well what he was doing, he must be ranked among the most brazenly self-serving individuals ever to receive a dog-chewed law license. Whichever is the case, the legal profession is certainly improved by his absence.