Opinion ID: 1255297
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: whether the idaho state bar violated jenkins' procedural due process rights by the idaho state bar's failure to clearly identify the individuals being charged in each action in its complaint

Text: Jenkins argues that his procedural due process rights were violated because he was found to have violated the I.R.P.C. for conduct for which he was not specifically charged. Jenkins and Stosich are entitled to due process of law in the attorney disciplinary proceedings. Dexter v. Idaho State Bar Bd. of Comm'rs, 116 Idaho 790, 791, 780 P.2d 112, 113 (1989) (holding that a person cannot be excluded from the practice of law for reasons that contravene the due process or equal protection clauses of the United States Constitution); see also Rincover v. State Dep't of Finance, 124 Idaho 920, 921, 866 P.2d 177, 178 (1993) (holding that one is entitled to the safeguards of due process of law before being deprived of the opportunity to practice one's profession). Notice is considered to be a critical aspect of due process, and included in the right to notice is the right to be fairly notified of the issues to be considered. Id.; Grindstone Butte Mut. Canal Co. v. Idaho Power Co., 98 Idaho 860, 865, 574 P.2d 902, 907 (1978). An individual against whom disciplinary proceedings are brought, is entitled to have the charges against them stated in full, and may not be held accountable for misconduct not specified in the charges. In re Baum, 32 Idaho 676, 687, 186 P. 927, 931 (1920) (requiring charges to be specifically stated in a disbarment proceeding); see also In re Carter, 59 Idaho 547, 553, 86 P.2d 162, 164 (1938) (Budge J., dissenting) (expanding the holding in Baum to disciplinary proceedings). Both Jenkins and Stosich were given adequate notice of the violations asserted against them and the facts underlying the allegations. The complaint fully stated the allegations of professional misconduct against Jenkins and Stosich and specified the conduct of Jenkins and Stosich which constituted violations of I.R.P.C. 1.3, 1.4(a), and 1.4(b). The complaint asserted that the Hopewells were not kept informed on the asbestos case and the personal injury case, that none of the three cases were diligently pursued, and that both Jenkins and Stosich failed to communicate with the Hopewells on the three cases. Due process is provided a petitioner where a hearing is held at which the applicant is fully advised of the claims of the opposition and of the facts which may be weighed against him, and at which he is given full opportunity to test and refute such claims and such facts, and to present his side of the issues in relation thereto.... Applications of Citizens Utils. Co., 82 Idaho 208, 215, 351 P.2d 487, 490 (1960). Jenkins and Stosich were fully advised of the alleged violations against them and the specific misconduct involved upon which the charges were made. The complaint of the ISB provided Jenkins and Stosich with the notice required by the safeguards of due process of law. In addition to meeting the requirements of due process, the complaint of the ISB also complied with the Idaho Bar Commission Rules (I.B.C.R.). The complaint against the defendants in an attorney discipline case must only be specific enough to inform the defendant of the alleged misconduct. I.B.C.R. 511(a). The complaint alleged violations of I.R.P.C. 1.3., 1.4(a), and 1.4(b) and gave sufficient notice of specific misconduct involved.