Opinion ID: 1585773
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: was the suspension from the practice for 120 days overly punitive in light of the alleged misconduct?

Text: This Court is free to evaluate the punishment imposed and to enter any appropriate order that it sees fit. We find no merit to Mr. Vining's contention that he is being punished for his failure to appear before the Complaint Tribunal rather than his neglect of his client's case. We do note, however, that he treated himself as a client in the same cavalier and neglectful manner that he treated the client that brought this complaint against him. When disciplinary actions are appealed to this Court we review the entire record, findings and conclusions of the Tribunal and render such orders as we deem appropriate. This is consistent with the Rules of Discipline 9.4 and our previous caselaw. See Levi v. Mississippi State Bar, 436 So.2d 781 (Miss. 1983). Punishment for any violation of the Rules of Discipline is not governed by a set standard, rather the cases are to be considered on a case by case basis. A Mississippi Attorney v. Mississippi State Bar, 453 So.2d 1023 (Miss. 1984). We view this assignment of error as a plea for mercy as in fact it is. As we understand Mr. Vining at the oral argument of this case he has confessed his neglect. At argument he also set forth three extenuating circumstances: (1) involving his personal health; (2) one involving the health of a family member; and (3) a matter of personal distress. In relying upon his brief to this Court and his appearance at oral argument Mr. Vining has engaged in what is at best a risky business. We look with great disfavor on members of our profession who ignore the well established procedures within the Bar used for handling complaints. We look with even greater displeasure at a member of our profession who neglects his professional duties to those who have sought his help. Mindful that justice untempered by mercy may be unduly harsh, we are inclined to mercy in this case. This is so not because we consider the 120 days suspension meted out by the Mississippi State Bar Complaint Tribunal to be overly punitive and severe. The punishment was in keeping with the misconduct. However, due to the existence and the very nature of the three extenuating circumstances presented to this Court by Mr. Vining we have determined that the suspension from the practice of law is not appropriate under these peculiar facts. The fates have not dealt kindly with Mr. Vining and we are not disposed to add further to his burdens. We therefore vacate the 120 day suspension and order that Francis M. Vining do receive a public reprimand. SUSPENSION VACATED AND APPELLANT TO RECEIVE A PUBLIC REPRIMAND. WALKER, C.J., ROY NOBLE LEE and HAWKINS, P.JJ., and DAN M. LEE, PRATHER, ROBERTSON, ANDERSON and GRIFFIN, JJ., concur.