Title: GERALD V. ROBERTS V. KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION

State: kentucky

Issuer: Kentucky Supreme Court

Document:

Qsuprsms (mart GERALD V . ROBERTS 2007-SC-000862-KB V. IN SUPREME COURT TO BE PUBLISHED LA-0% MOVANT KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION RESPONDENT OPINION AND ORDER The Kentucky Bar Association (KBA) charged Movant, Gerald V. Roberts, KBA Member No . 58940, with violating SCR 3.130-8 .3(b) by engaging in professional misconduct . Roberts now moves this Court to sanction him by public reprimand. The KBA has no objection . KBA FILE NO . 11943 SCR 3.130-8.3(b) provides that "it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects" . On June 22, 2004, Roberts was arrested and charged with indecent exposure in the second degree, a Class B misdemeanor . See KRS § 510-150 . Roberts eventually entered an Alford plea to that charge . See North Carolina v . Alford, 400 U.S . 25, 91 S. Ct . 160, 27 L . Ed . 2d 162 (1970) . Because the Alford plea constitutes a conviction, Roberts's conduct was clearly a "criminal act" within the meaning of SCR 3.130-8 .3(b) . In its response to the motion, the KBA stated it has no objection to Roberts being publicly reprimanded for violating SCR 3.130-8.3(b), in lieu of being suspended . There are several similar disciplinary cases from the Commonwealth which convince us that a public reprimand is the appropriate sanction . See Kentucky Bar Ass'n v . Davis , 819 S.W.2d 317 (Ky . 1991) (holding that an attorney's conviction for harassing communications, a Class B misdemeanor, warranted a public reprimand) ; Kentucky Bar Ass'n v . Colston , 54 S .W.3d 158 (Ky . 2001) (holding that an attorney's misconduct of being convicted of harassing communications and violating a protective order warranted sanction of public reprimand and probated six-month suspension) ; Kentucky Bar Ass'n v. Rankin , 862 S .W .2d 894 (Ky . 1993) (holding that convictions for wanton endangerment, assault and operating motor vehicle under influence of intoxicants warranted a public reprimand and a probated six-month suspension) . Moreover, we find the following mitigating factors relevant in deciding to impose the public reprimand : 1) absence of a prior disciplinary record and 2) full and free disclosure to disciplinary board or cooperative attitude toward proceedings . CONCLUSION After careful consideration of the facts, this Court orders that Gerald V. Roberts, KBA Member No. 58940, be issued a public reprimand for professional misconduct . Thus, it is ORDERED that : 1 . Gerald V . Roberts is adjudged guilty of violating SCR 3.130-8.3(b). 2. He shall therefore receive a public reprimand for his professional misconduct . 3. Pursuant to SCR 3 .450, the total costs of these proceedings, including $47 .08 certified as of November 19, 2007, shall be assessed against him . All sitting . All concur . ENTERED : February 21, 2008 .