The southern Nevada legal community is mourning a criminal defense attorney who died over the weekend as a colorful, endearing and effective lawyer.

James Lawrence "Bucky" Buchanan was 74.

Las Vegas police say he was backing his 1988 Ferrari GTS 328 into his driveway Saturday when he suffered an apparent medical episode, crashed and died.

Buchanan built a thriving practice representing accused prostitutes, drug dealers and thieves.

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His wife is a deputy Nevada state attorney general. She says he gave the same dedication and commitment to million-dollar clients or low-income defendants.

Buchanan was a U.S. Naval Academy graduate who also was a Nevada university regent, a reality television show star, a donor to charities and fundraiers and part-owner of several restaurants.

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Information from: Las Vegas Review-Journal, http://www.lvrj.com