A disciplinary sanction is imposed on a lawyer upon a finding or acknowledgement that the lawyer has engaged in professional misconduct. Disbarment terminates the individual's status as a lawyer. A lawyer who has been disbarred may be readmitted as provided in Rule 25 of the Rules of Lawyer Discipline and Disability. Suspension is the removal of a lawyer from the practice of law for a specified minimum period of time. Generally, suspension should be imposed for a specific period of time equal to or greater than six months, but in no event should the time period prior to application for reinstatement be more than three years.
Interim suspension is the temporary suspension of a lawyer from the practice of law.
Interim suspension may be imposed as set forth in Rules 18 and 19 of the Rules of Lawyer Discipline and Disability. Reprimand is public discipline which declares the conduct of the lawyer improper, but does not limit the lawyer's right to practice. Admonition is nonpublic discipline which declares the conduct of the lawyer improper, but does not limit the lawyer's right to practice. Probation is a sanction that allows a lawyer to practice law under specified conditions. Probation can be public or nonpublic, can be imposed alone or in conjunction with other sanctions, and can be imposed as a condition of readmission or reinstatement.