Opinion ID: 2569176
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: Consideration of a Prior Admonishment and a Cease and Desist Order

Text: Respondent next takes issue with the Commission's reliance on his prior admonishment involving the juror Javette Campbell, Docket 612, and his stipulation to a cease and desist order in lieu of formal proceedings in Docket 652 (the second time Respondent was before the Commission). The cease and desist order involved a procedure adopted by Respondent in Chapter 61 proceedings. This procedure allowed clerks to issue orders to show cause and bench warrants without Respondent's review. Respondent argues, without citing any authority, that the Commission may not rely on the prior admonition and cease and desist order in recommending his discipline here. Respondent suggests that because the dispositions of Dockets 612 and 652 are nonappealable, non-disciplinary actions, they may not be used for enhancing his punishment. We have discussed Docket 612 (Javette Campbell's incarceration). Docket 652 was resolved by Respondent signing a cease and desist order under Supreme Court Rule 611 (1999 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 494). This case and Docket 652 were scheduled to be heard on August 16, 1999. At the beginning of the hearing, Respondent agreed to sign the cease and desist order if the Commission would dismiss the allegation that Respondent failed to cooperate in the Commission's investigation. The Commission granted his motion. By signing the order, Respondent agreed to accept the Commission's conclusions that he violated Canons 1; 2; 3B(1), (2) (maintaining professional competence), (7) and, (8) (dispose of matters promptly, efficiently and fairly); and 3C(1) (diligently discharge duties) and (2) (supervise staff) (1999 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 465, 466, 467, 470). The Commission order said, in part: Since it now appears that those types of procedures have ceased, no action other than this cease and desist order is required. We take prior informal admonitions into consideration when disciplining attorneys. See, e.g., In re Ketter, 268 Kan. 146, 153, 992 P.2d 205 (1999) (considering two prior informal admonitions in reaching disciplinary decision). It is appropriate to consider past disciplinary encounters to, among other things, (1) assess whether there is a pattern of misconduct, (2) negate claims of mistake, and (3) deter future misconduct. Whether consideration of prior dealings with the Commission results in a enhancement of the Commission's disciplinary recommendation is immaterial, as that recommendation is not binding on this court. See In re Handy, 254 Kan. 581, 599, 867 P.2d 341 (1994).