Opinion ID: 1419027
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Other Contentions of Petitioner

Text: (13) Petitioner contends that The proceedings are void ... in that the State Bar made a demand in writing upon petitioner to make a statement in writing concerning the accusation ... without giving petitioner an admonition that he had a constitutional and a statutory right to refuse to answer said demand ... and that a refusal to make a reply could not be used against him.... He does not identify the demand or cite any transcript references. Presumably he refers to a letter to him from the State Bar advising him that Mrs. Brown had filed a complaint and that to assist the State Bar in its consideration of the matter he may submit a written statement relative to the complaint. When the State Bar examiner attempted to introduce into evidence petitioner's response to the letter, objections by petitioner to the receipt of the response were sustained. It thus does not appear that petitioner was prejudiced by the State Bar's letter. Furthermore, petitioner cites nothing supporting the contention. (14) Petitioner next contends that The proceedings are void... in that pursuant to a demand ... upon petitioner to appear before [the local committee], he did so appear and was interrogated by said committee without receiving an admonition that he had a ... right under Article I, section 13 of the California Constitution, and under the Fifth Amendment as incorporated in the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution to refuse to be interrogated. He does not identify the nature of the asserted demand. The record shows that petitioner, who was represented by counsel, took the stand in his own behalf in the instant proceeding. Following his direct testimony he was asked several questions by the committee, and he responded without objecting to any question on the ground of the privilege against self-incrimination. Under the circumstances he waived that privilege. ( United States v. Kordel, supra, 397 U.S. 1, 10; Rogers v. United States, supra, 340 U.S. 367, 370-371; Vajtauer v. Comm'r of Immigration, supra, 273 U.S. 103, 113; Steinmetz v. Cal. State Board of Education, supra, 44 Cal.2d 816, 824 [cert. den. 351 U.S. 915]; see also The Florida Bar v. Curry, supra, 211 So.2d 169, 172.) In this proceeding, as in L.A. 29855, he has cited no authority requiring that in a disciplinary proceeding the State Bar give admonitions regarding the privilege against self-incrimination to an attorney represented by counsel. (15) Petitioner further contends, without citation of authority, that it was a violation of due process to consolidate for hearing two unrelated accusations. Two proceedings against petitioner (L.A. 1944 [in which Mrs. Brown was the complaining witness] and L.A. 1962 [in which a Mrs. Heard was the complaining witness]) were consolidated for hearing pursuant to rule 27, Rules of Procedure of the State Bar. After evidence was received, the local committee recommended dismissal of L.A. 1962, and the board dismissed it. Under the circumstances it does not appear that petitioner was prejudiced by the consolidation.