Case Name: IN RE: Joshua Paul MELDER
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 2018-01-09
Citations: 232 So. 3d 550
Docket Number: NO. 2017-B-1922
Parties: IN RE: Joshua Paul MELDER
Judges: JOHNSON, C.J., would reject consent discipline.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Third Series
Volume: 232
Pages: 550–551

Head Matter:
IN RE: Joshua Paul MELDER
NO. 2017-B-1922
Supreme Court of Louisiana.
1/9/2018

Opinion:
ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS
PER CURIAM
|]In November 2016, respondent was arrested and booked with domestic abuse battery and resisting an officer. Prior to the filing of formal charges, respondent and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel submitted a joint petition for consent discipline in which respondent admitted that his conduct violated Rules 8.4(a) and 8.4(b) of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Having reviewed the petition,
IT IS ORDERED that the Petition for Consent Discipline be accepted and that Joshua Paul Melder, Louisiana Bar Roll number 33983, be suspended from the practice of law for a period of one year and one day. It is further ordered that all but six months of the suspension shall be deferred, subject to respondent's successful completion of a five-year period of probation to coincide with his Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program recovery agreement. The probationary period shall commence from the date respondent and the ODC execute a formal probation plan. Any failure of respondent to comply with the conditions of probation, or any misconduct during the probationary period, may be grounds, for making the deferred portion of the suspension executory, or imposing additional discipline, as appropriate.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all costs and expenses in the matter are as sessed against respondent in accordance with Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 10.1, with legal interest to commence thirty days from the date of finality of this court's judgment until paid.
JOHNSON, C.J., would reject consent discipline.