Opinion ID: 4530412
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Potential or Actual Injury

Text: ¶53 Standards 7.3 and 6.23 each provide that a reprimand is presumptive if a lawyer’s negligent conduct injures or potentially injures the public or the legal system. Martinez argues that his conduct did not constitute ethical misconduct and, therefore, could not cause potential or actual injury. We disagree. Martinez’s comments to juries in Morris, Gallardo, and Lynch II, and his disregard of defense counsel’s sustained objections in Gallardo, at least potentially caused harm to the public and the legal system. As a prosecutor, Martinez’s serial improper appeals to juries to elicit sympathy for victims and fear of defendants and his failure to comply with a court ruling jeopardized the integrity of the legal system. That Martinez’s negligent conduct did not result in reversal of criminal convictions does not absolve him of ethical culpability for potential systemic injuries.