Opinion ID: 1857383
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: This Court conducts a:

Text: de novo review in a bar disciplinary matter which necessarily includes a review of the sanctions imposed. Hoffman v. MS State Bar Association, 508 So.2d 1120, 1124 (Miss. 1987); Myers v. Mississippi State Bar, 480 So.2d 1080, 1089 (Miss. 1985). Deference is accorded the findings of the Complaint Tribunal but this Court has the non-delegable duty of ultimately satisfying itself as to the facts, and reaching such conclusions and making such judgments as it considers appropriate and just. Mississippi State Bar v. Varnado, 557 So.2d 558, 559 (Miss. 1990). Furthermore, although Bar disciplinary proceedings are quasi-criminal in nature, Attorney Q v. Mississippi State Bar, 587 So.2d 228, 231 (Miss. 1991), [t]he beyond-a-reasonable doubt standard does not apply; rather, we require an intermediate level of certainty regarding the facts at issue, to-wit; a clear and convincing evidence standard. Id. at 232.