Opinion ID: 2046301
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Criminal Charge

Text: On November 19, 1996, Stefani pled guilty in the United States District Court, Northern District of Iowa, to possession of cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 844 (1990). This crime is a misdemeanor. See United States v. Baggett, 890 F.2d 1095, 1097 (10th Cir.1990). On November 25, 1996, the court placed Stefani on pre-judgment probation. The federal court revoked his probation on March 13, 1997, placing him under supervision pending sentencing. On August 27, 1997, Stefani submitted a urine sample to the Sedlacek Treatment Center in Cedar Rapids. It tested positive for cocaine. On September 16, 1997, the federal court sentenced Stefani on the possession charge and ordered that he serve three months in a community correction center followed by three years probation. About a year later, in August or September 1998, Stefani possessed and used cocaine in violation of federal law and the terms of his supervised release. On October 2, 1998, the United States District Court ordered Stefani to enter an in-patient treatment program by October 9, 1998. Stefani claimed that he entered such a program at the University of Iowa Hospitals but that the admission process was not completed due to the facility's time constraints. Because he did not timely enter the in-patient treatment program, he was arrested on October 14, 1998. He was then released to his father's custody on the condition that his father deliver him to an in-patient drug center. Stefani now admits that he was not admitted to a treatment program by October 9, 1998, as ordered by the federal court but was admitted to one on October 16, 1998. Stefani did enter the Sedlacek Treatment Center on October 16, 1998. Following his discharge from the Center, he failed to report for probation supervision as required. On or about November 3, 1998, a warrant was issued for his arrest. Stefani claims that he absconded because he feared for his and his family's safety. Nevertheless, he failed to notify the court, his probation officer, and the grievance commission of his whereabouts, his reason for leaving, or his expected time of return. On June 7, 1999, the federal court sentenced Stefani to fifteen days imprisonment upon his plea of guilty to simple possession of a controlled substance (second offense). Stefani admitted at the hearing before the commission that he is addicted to cocaine. He has not resumed the practice of law. The Board charged that Stefani's criminal conduct in possessing and/or using cocaine following his guilty plea and public reprimand violated Iowa Code of Professional Responsibility for Lawyers, DR 1-102(A)(5) and (6). These rules cite as misconduct a lawyer's engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice and conduct that adversely reflects on the fitness of a person to practice law. The commission found that both charges were proved. Upon our review, we agree. See Iowa Supreme Ct. Bd. of Prof'l Ethics & Conduct v. Runge, 588 N.W.2d 116, 118 (Iowa 1999); Iowa Supreme Ct. Bd. of Prof'l Ethics & Conduct v. Marcucci, 543 N.W.2d 879, 881-83 (Iowa 1996).