Opinion ID: 1802431
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: underlying divorce action and events of june 1, 1993

Text: The underlying impetus of this disciplinary action involves respondent's representation of his brother, Evan Zakrzewski, in a divorce proceeding in the early part of 1993. Representing Evan Zakrzewski's former wife, Ronda Raff, in the divorce proceedings was Forrest Peetz, a practicing attorney in Holt County. Pursuant to a stipulation between Evan Zakrzewski and Raff, the district court for Holt County entered an order on March 30, 1993, awarding permanent custody of the parties' minor child, Heath, to Raff, who resided in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Evan Zakrzewski, then a resident of O'Neill, Nebraska, was to have visitation rights once a month from Tuesday until Sunday, for 2 months during the summer, and for alternating holidays. Raff sent Heath to O'Neill several days prior to June 1, 1993, for his monthly visit with Evan Zakrzewski. Because Evan Zakrzewski was out of the state at the time for business purposes, Heath spent several days with Zakrzewski's parents, who also reside in O'Neill. Evan Zakrzewski returned to O'Neill on May 29. Despite requests from Raff, Evan Zakrzewski refused to return Heath to South Dakota on June 1. Although Raff contended the weeklong visitation period ended on that date, Evan Zakrzewski refused to comply, arguing that he had not seen Heath much in the last 8 months. Upon Evan Zakrzewski's refusal to return Heath, Raff contacted Peetz for assistance. According to telephone records, Raff telephoned Peetz three times on June 1. Peetz testified that he told Raff she should contact the clerk of the district court and the sheriff's office to resolve the matter. Peetz was eventually contacted by the sheriff's office and by Tom Herzog, Holt County Attorney, in an attempt to seek information regarding the terms of the divorce decree. Telephone records introduced at trial establish that all calls between Peetz and county officials were made to Peetz' office. Learning of the situation, Herzog examined the divorce decree provisions concerning visitation and called the district court judge who granted the divorce decree. According to Herzog, the judge directed him to tell the sheriff to tell Evan Zakrzewski to give the child back. Following the orders of Herzog, Holt County Sheriff Charles R. Fox relayed this information to his deputies. Fox specifically stated that he instructed his deputies not to use physical force or intimidation against Evan Zakrzewski. According to testimony from Holt County Deputy Alan Rowse, Evan Zakrzewski was then asked to return Heath that day by 4 p.m. Not surprisingly, Evan Zakrzewski recounts a different picture; one in which he was physically threatened with physical danger and jail time if he refused to return Heath that day. After Evan Zakrzewski's contact with Rowse, he called his brother, respondent herein, for advice. Respondent proceeded to make calls to Peetz, Herzog, and the sheriff's office to halt the return of Heath. In each instance, respondent made it a point to state that he would sue each individual if Evan Zakrzewski was forced to return Heath to South Dakota that day. Ultimately, Evan Zakrzewski complied with the requests of the law enforcement officials, and Heath was transported to Raff in South Dakota that evening by a third party.