Title: In re Baca.
Citation: N/A
Docket Number: 105567
State: Kansas
Issuer: Kansas Supreme Court
Date: June 24, 2011

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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF KANSAS 
 
No. 105,567 
 
In the Matter of CESAR ALBERTO BACA, 
Respondent. 
 
 
ORIGINAL PROCEEDING IN DISCIPLINE 
 
Original proceeding in discipline. Opinion filed June 24, 2011. Indefinite suspension. 
 
Kate F. Baird, Deputy Disciplinary Administrator, argued the cause, and Stanton A. Hazlett, 
Disciplinary Administrator, was with her on the formal complaint for the petitioner.  
 
Michael P. Waddell, of Olathe, argued the cause, and Cesar Alberto Baca, respondent, argued the 
cause pro se.  
 
Per Curiam: This is an original proceeding in discipline filed by the office of the 
Disciplinary Administrator against the respondent, Cesar Alberto Baca, of Aurora, 
Colorado, an attorney admitted to the practice of law in Kansas in 2008. 
 
 
On November 4, 2010, the office of the Disciplinary Administrator filed a formal 
complaint against the respondent alleging violations of the Kansas Rules of Professional 
Conduct (KRPC). The respondent sent his answer on January 7, 2011. A joint stipulation 
was entered into on January 10, 2011. A hearing was held on the complaint before a 
panel of the Kansas Board for Discipline of Attorneys on January 12, 2011, where the 
respondent was present by telephone and was represented by counsel. The hearing panel 
determined that respondent violated KRPC 8.4(a) (2010 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 603) 
(misconduct); 8.4(b) (commission of a criminal act reflecting adversely on the lawyer's 
honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer); 8.4(g) (engaging in conduct adversely 
reflecting on lawyer's fitness to practice law); Kansas Supreme Court Rule 208 (2010 
Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 320) (registration of attorneys); and Kansas Supreme Court Rule 
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211(b) (2010 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 327) (failure to file timely answer in disciplinary 
proceeding). Upon conclusion of the hearing, the panel made the following findings of 
fact and conclusions of law, together with its recommendation to this court: 
 
"FINDINGS OF FACT 
 
. . . . 
 
"2. 
The Kansas Supreme Court admitted the Respondent to the practice of 
law on April 28, 2008. The Respondent failed to comply with the annual requirements to 
maintain his law license. Specifically, the Respondent failed to pay the annual 
registration fee and comply with the requirements set forth by the Kansas Continuing 
Legal Education Commission. Accordingly, on October 18, 2010, the Kansas Supreme 
Court suspended the Respondent's license to practice law. The Respondent's license 
remains suspended. 
 
 
"3. 
The Missouri Supreme Court admitted the Respondent to the practice of 
law on September 12, 2007. On October 26, 2010, the Missouri Supreme Court entered 
an order disbarring the Respondent. 
 
 
"4. 
Between October 1, 2009, and October 9, 2009, the Respondent, using a 
computer in his home in Missouri, engaged in communication with a person that he 
believed to be a 14 year old female residing [in] Colorado via an internet chat room. 
Unbeknownst to the Respondent, the person who purported to be a 14 year old female 
was a Colorado law enforcement officer. According to the Respondent, he communicated 
under the user names "machavalia" and "krazeecock." The exhibits also indicate that the 
Respondent may have also communicated under the user name "honiss11." The 
Respondent represented himself as a 30 year old, in Colorado. 
 
 
"5. 
While chatting online with the purported minor, the Respondent 
discussed her school, music, her family, and her friends. During the online chat sessions, 
specifically on October 1, 2009, and October 4, 2009, the Respondent uploaded and 
displayed three different photographs of his penis. The photographs were accompanied 
by instant messages between the Respondent and the purported minor. 
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"6. 
On October 1, 2009, after learning that the person purported to be 14 
years old, the Respondent provided the purported minor with his mobile telephone 
number. From a review of Disciplinary Administrator's Exhibit . . . , it appears that the 
Respondent and the purported minor exchanged text messages on 14 occasions from 
October 1, 2009, through October 9, 2009. The Respondent initiated the contact on two 
of the 14 occasions. 
 
 
"7. 
On October 2, 2009, the purported minor called the Respondent's mobile 
telephone. The Respondent did not answer. Shortly thereafter, the Respondent returned 
the call and telephoned the purported minor. Cassandra Harris, an investigator, answered 
the telephone and portrayed herself as the minor. 
 
 
"8. 
On October 9, 2009, a Colorado law enforcement officer contacted the 
Respondent regarding the explicit communications. The Respondent learned that the 
purported minor was a Colorado law enforcement officer. The Respondent admitted 
being a Missouri resident and lawyer. He admitted posting explicit photographs of his 
penis on the Internet while engaged in dialogue with the purported minor. 
 
 
"9. 
On October 27, 2009, the authorities in the District Court of Jefferson 
County, Colorado, charged the Respondent with two counts of Internet sexual 
exploitation of a child, a level 4 felony. The Respondent voluntarily surrendered to the 
out-of-state authorities for criminal prosecution. 
 
 
"10. 
On January 25, 2010, the Respondent entered a plea of guilty to an 
amended complaint, alleging one count of indecent exposure (defined as a misdemeanor 
in Colorado), a violation of C.R.S. § 18-7-302, alleging that he "exposed his genitals to 
the view of a child, under circumstances in which the conduct was likely to cause affront 
or alarm to the victim." The two felony counts were dismissed pursuant to the plea 
agreement. 
 
 
"11. 
On April 19, 2010, the District Court of Jefferson County, Colorado 
sentenced the Respondent to four years probation with specific conditions limiting the 
Respondent's access to computers with Internet access and mobile phones with 
photograph taking capabilities. The Respondent was also required to register as a sexual 
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offender, misdemeanor offense. Finally, the Respondent was ordered to refrain from 
contact with children, including his own children. While some of the initial terms and 
conditions have been modified, the Respondent remains on probation. 
 
 
"12. 
On May 4, 2010, the Respondent self-reported his conduct to the 
Disciplinary Administrator. 
 
 
"13. 
On November 10, 2010, the Disciplinary Administrator filed the Formal 
Complaint in the instant case. The Respondent failed to file a timely Answer to the 
Formal Complaint, in violation of Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 211(b). 
 
 
"14. 
The Hearing Panel held a hearing on the Formal Complaint on January 
12, 2011. The Respondent did not appear in person at the hearing. However, during the 
week prior to the hearing, counsel for the Respondent requested that the Respondent be 
allowed to appear by telephone. The Hearing Panel granted that request and the 
Respondent appeared by telephone. 
 
"CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 
 
 
"1. 
Based upon the findings of fact, the Hearing Panel concludes as a matter 
of law that the Respondent violated KRPC 8.4, Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 208, and Kan. Sup. Ct. 
R. 211, as detailed below. 
 
 
"2. 
KRPC 8.4 defines professional misconduct, in pertinent part, as follows: 
 
 
 
 
'It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:  
 
 
'(a) 
Violate or attempt to violate the rules of professional 
conduct, knowingly assist or induce another to do so, or do so through 
the acts of another; 
 
 
'(b) 
commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the 
lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects; 
 
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. . . . 
 
 
'(g) 
engage in any other conduct that adversely reflects on 
the lawyer's fitness to practice law.' 
 
In this case, the Respondent engaged in professional misconduct. He engaged in an 
Internet conversation with an undercover law enforcement officer who he believed to be 
a 14 year old female. During that conversation, he posted and re-posted three different 
pictures of his penis and discussed his penis with the purported minor. As a result of his 
misconduct, the Respondent was convicted by his plea of indecent exposure to a minor, a 
misdemeanor offense in the State of Colorado. As such, the Hearing Panel concludes that 
the Respondent violated the Rules of Professional Conduct, that he committed a criminal 
act that adversely reflects on his fitness as a lawyer, and that he engaged in conduct that 
adversely reflects on his fitness to practice law. Therefore, the Hearing Panel concludes 
that the Respondent violated KRPC 8.4(a), KRPC 8.4(b), and KRPC 8.4(g). 
 
 
"3. 
Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 208 provides the annual registration process for Kansas 
attorneys: 
 
 
'(a) 
All attorneys, including justices and judges, admitted to 
the practice of law before the Supreme Court of the State of Kansas shall 
annually, on or before the first day of July, register with the Clerk of the 
Appellate Courts upon such forms as the Clerk shall prescribe; provided 
that in the year of an attorney's admission to the bar, the attorney shall 
register within thirty days after the date of admission. At the time of each 
registration, each registrant shall pay an annual fee in such amount as the 
Supreme Court shall order. Attorneys may register as: active; inactive; 
retired; or disabled due to mental or physical disabilities. Only attorneys 
registered as active may practice law in Kansas. 
 
 
. . . . 
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'(c) 
On or before June 1 of each year the Clerk of the 
Appellate Courts shall mail to each individual attorney then registered in 
this state, at his or her last known address, a statement of the amount of 
the registration fee to be paid for the next year. Failure of any attorney to 
receive a statement from the Clerk shall not excuse the attorney from 
paying the required fee. Every registrant shall within thirty days after any 
change of address notify the Clerk of such change. 
 
 
'(d) 
Any attorney who fails to pay the registration fee by 
August 1 of each year may be suspended from the practice of law in this 
state as prescribed in subsection (e). It shall be the duty of each member 
of the judiciary of this state to prohibit any attorney who has been 
suspended from the practice of law from appearing or practicing in any 
court, and it shall be the duty of each member of the bar and judiciary to 
report to the Disciplinary Administrator any attempt by an attorney to 
practice law after his or her suspension.' 
 
In this case, the Respondent failed to pay the annual registration fee. Additionally, the 
Respondent failed to comply with the Kansas Continuing Legal Education Commission 
requirements. Thus, the Hearing Panel concludes that the Respondent violated Kan. Sup. 
Ct. R. 208. 
 
 
"4. 
The Kansas Supreme Court Rules require attorneys to file Answers to 
Formal Complaints. Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 211(b) provides the requirements: 
 
'The Respondent shall serve an answer upon the Disciplinary 
Administrator within twenty days after the service of the complaint 
unless such time is extended by the Disciplinary Administrator or the 
hearing panel.' 
 
Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 211(b). The Respondent violated Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 211(b) by failing to 
file a timely written Answer to the Formal Complaint. Accordingly, the Hearing Panel 
concludes that the Respondent violated Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 211(b). 
 
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"AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION 
"STANDARDS FOR IMPOSING LAWYER SANCTIONS 
 
 
"In making this recommendation for discipline, the Hearing Panel considered the 
factors outlined by the American Bar Association in its Standards for Imposing Lawyer 
Sanctions (hereinafter 'Standards'). Pursuant to Standard 3, the factors to be considered 
are the duty violated, the lawyer's mental state, the potential or actual injury caused by 
the lawyer's misconduct, and the existence of aggravating or mitigating factors. 
 
 
"Duty Violated. The Respondent violated his duty to the profession to maintain 
his professional integrity. 
 
 
"Mental State. The Respondent knowingly and intentionally violated his duty. 
 
 
"Injury. As a result of the Respondent's misconduct, the Respondent caused 
actual injury to the legal profession. 
 
 
"Aggravating or Mitigating Factors. Aggravating circumstances are any 
considerations or factors that may justify an increase in the degree of discipline to be 
imposed. In reaching its recommendation for discipline, the Hearing Panel, in this case, 
found the following aggravating factors present: 
 
 
"A Pattern of Misconduct. The Respondent engaged in [a] pattern of misconduct 
by posting, removing, and re-posting inappropriate photographs on the Internet and by 
allowing the purported minor to view the inappropriate photographs. 
 
 
"Multiple Offenses. The Respondent committed multiple offenses by violating 
KRPC 8.4, Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 208, and Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 211. 
 
 
"Illegal Conduct, Including that Involving the Use of Controlled Substances. The 
Respondent was convicted of a misdemeanor by his plea to the amended charge of 
indecent exposure to a minor. Accordingly, the Hearing Panel concludes that the 
Respondent engaged in criminal conduct. 
 
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"Mitigating circumstances are any considerations or factors that may justify a 
reduction in the degree of discipline to be imposed. In reaching its recommendation for 
discipline, the Hearing Panel, in this case, found the following mitigating circumstances 
present: 
 
 
"Absence of a Prior Disciplinary Record. The Respondent has not previously 
been disciplined. 
 
 
"Personal or Emotional Problems if Such Misfortunes Have Contributed to 
Violation of the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct. The Respondent has suffered in 
his past, and continues to suffer, personal problems. Additionally, it appears that the 
Respondent's personal problems have contributed the Respondent's violation of KRPC 
8.4. 
 
 
"The Present and Past Attitude of the Attorney as Shown by His or Her 
Cooperation During the Hearing and His or Her Full and Free Acknowledgment of the 
Transgressions. The Respondent cooperated during the hearing. He acknowledged his 
wrongdoing and admitted two rule violations. Additionally, the Respondent cooperated 
with the law enforcement agencies by voluntarily surrendering himself to out-of-state 
authorities. 
 
 
"Inexperience in the Practice of Law. The Missouri Supreme Court admitted the 
Respondent to the practice of law in 2007. The Kansas Supreme Court admitted the 
Respondent to the practice of law in 2008. Thus, the Respondent is inexperienced in the 
practice of law. However, it is worth noting that the Respondent's level of experience in 
the practice of law is not relevant to his misconduct. The Respondent's misconduct is 
completely removed from the practice of law. 
 
 
"Imposition of Other Penalties or Sanctions. The Respondent has experienced 
other sanctions for his conduct. The Respondent was disbarred in Missouri. The 
Respondent lost his job as a member of the legal department of an insurance company. 
The District Court of Jefferson County, Colorado, sentenced the Respondent to a four 
year term of probation. The terms and conditions of the Respondent's probation are 
restrictive. For a period of months, the Respondent was not allowed to see his own 
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children. The Respondent has not been permitted to attend church since May, 2010. The 
Respondent expects to lose the home he owns in Missouri through foreclosure of his 
mortgage. 
 
 
"Remorse. At the hearing on this matter, the Respondent expressed genuine 
remorse for having engaged in the misconduct. 
 
 
"In addition to the above-cited factors, the Hearing Panel has thoroughly 
examined and considered the following Standards: 
 
'5.12 
Suspension is generally appropriate when a lawyer knowingly 
engages in criminal conduct which does not contain the elements listed 
in Standard 5.11 and that seriously adversely reflects on the lawyer's 
fitness to practice.' 
 
"RECOMMENDATION 
 
 
"The Deputy Disciplinary Administrator recommended that the Respondent be 
indefinitely suspended from the practice of law. The Deputy Disciplinary Administrator 
argued that a reinstatement hearing is necessary in this case to ensure that the Respondent 
is fit to return to the practice of law. The Deputy Disciplinary Administrator 
recommended that, in the event the Respondent's license is later returned to him, that his 
practice be limited. 
 
 
"In his Answer, the Respondent recommended that he be censured for the 
misconduct. At this hearing on this matter, counsel for the Respondent did not make a 
specific recommendation for discipline. Rather, Mr. Waddell recommended that the 
Hearing Panel give the Respondent a 'hope' of returning to the practice of law. 
 
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"Based upon the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and the Standards listed 
above, the Hearing Panel unanimously recommends that the Respondent be suspended 
from the practice of law. The Hearing Panel further recommends that the Court allow the 
Respondent to apply for reinstatement after he is successfully discharged from all 
obligations with the authorities in Colorado. Finally, the Hearing Panel recommends that 
the Respondent appear at a reinstatement hearing, pursuant to Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 219, prior 
to consideration of a petition for reinstatement." 
 
DISCUSSION 
 
 
In a disciplinary proceeding, this court considers the evidence, the findings of the 
disciplinary panel, and the arguments of the parties. From this record, we determine 
whether violations of KRPC exist and, if they do, what discipline should be imposed. In 
re Lober, 276 Kan. 633, 636, 78 P.3d 442 (2003). Attorney misconduct must be 
established by clear and convincing evidence. In re Patterson, 289 Kan. 131, 133-34, 209 
P.3d 692 (2009); Supreme Court Rule 211(f) (2010 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 327). Clear and 
convincing evidence is "'evidence that causes the factfinder to believe that "the truth of 
the facts asserted is highly probable."'" 289 Kan. at 133-34 (quoting In re Dennis, 286 
Kan. 708, 725, 188 P.3d 1 [2008]). 
 
 
Respondent took no exceptions to the hearing panel's report, and we rule that the 
evidence before the panel established the facts of the respondent's misconduct by clear 
and convincing evidence. Those facts are sufficient for this court to conclude as a matter 
of law that the respondent violated KRPC 8.4(a) (2010 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 603) 
(misconduct), KRPC 8.4(b) (commission of criminal act reflecting adversely on the 
lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer), KRPC 8.4(g) (engaging in any 
other conduct that adversely reflects on the lawyer's fitness to practice law), Supreme 
Court Rule 208 (2010 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 320), and Supreme Court Rule 211(b) (2010 
Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 327), and we so hold.  
 
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CONCLUSION AND DISCIPLINE 
 
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the respondent, Cesar Alberto Baca, be and he is 
hereby indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in the state of Kansas, effective 
the date of filing of this opinion, in accordance with Supreme Court Rule 203(a)(2) (2010 
Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 276).   
 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the respondent must undergo a Supreme Court Rule 
219 (2010 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 370) hearing before the court will consider any readmission 
of the respondent to the practice of law in Kansas. Any application for reinstatement will 
not be entertained without the respondent's successful completion of his criminal 
probation in Colorado; and any reinstatement hearing must consider, among other factors: 
(1) whether respondent is capable of serving in a fiduciary or confidential capacity for a 
minor, such as in a guardian ad litem position or as counsel in juvenile proceedings; and 
(2) whether respondent has a past or current obligation to register as a sex offender in any 
jurisdiction, including whether any applicable registration requirement of another 
jurisdiction is comparable to that of Kansas.  
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the costs of these proceedings be assessed to the 
respondent and that this opinion be published in the official Kansas Reports.