Opinion ID: 2546336
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Presumptive sanction for dishonest conduct and lack of candor with the court

Text: Respondent made, certified, and submitted false statements to the Colorado Supreme Court. Not only did Respondent have knowledge that his statements were false, he also intended to deceive the Court about the status of his child support obligation. Disbarment is generally appropriate when a lawyer, with the intent to deceive the court, makes a false statement, submits a false document, or improperly withholds material information, and causes serious or potentially serious injury to a party, or causes a significant or potentially significant adverse effect on the legal proceeding. ABA Standard 6.11. On the other hand, suspension is the appropriate discipline if a lawyer knows his statement to the court is false but does not act with the intent to deceive the court. ABA Standard 6.12; See In re Cardwell, 50 P.3d 897 (Colo.2002) (three year suspension appropriate where lawyer failed to advise the court of his client's prior DUI conviction after client advised the court that it was his first conviction). Thus, with respect to Respondent's conduct, the presumed sanction is disbarment.