Opinion ID: 2548391
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: zarate matter

Text: A public defender was assigned to represent Dusty Zarate in two separate matters. The first matter was in April 2000 regarding child rape charges. The second matter was in August 2000 regarding robbery charges. Romero was assigned to represent Zarate in the first matter and Thomas Earl was assigned to represent Zarate in the second matter. Romero also entered into a fee agreement with Zarate's father to represent his son in the first matter. Zarate's father paid Romero approximately $1,000 under the agreement. Romero violated RPC 1.4(b), 7.1, and 8.4(d) by failing to inform Zarate and his father that he was prohibited from accepting compensation for representing a court appointed client. The recommended sanction by the Board for this misconduct is a 90-day suspension. Additionally, by accepting funds from Zarate's father, Romero violated RPC 1.5(a). [7] The Board recommends another 90-day suspension for this misconduct.