Opinion ID: 1922235
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Respondent's Representation of Tyrell Fields

Text: In October 1997, the Respondent, then practicing as a sole practitioner, undertook representation of Tyrell Fields, who was charged with first degree rape in Baltimore County. After two postponements, trial in the criminal case of State of Maryland v. Tyrell Fields, Case No. 97 CR 3551 in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County, was scheduled for April 15, 1998. As of April 15, 1998, the Respondent had not filed any pretrial motions or discovery requests in the Fields case. On the morning of April 15, 1998, the Respondent contacted the chambers of Judge Barbara K. Howe and asked for a continuance of the trial scheduled that day due to a claimed physical ailment. The Respondent asserted that he was suffering from back spasms and that he intended to go to the hospital. Upon Judge Howe's instructions, the Respondent was told to appear in court. Later in the day, the Respondent appeared in Judge Howe's chambers and was questioned about his failure to file discovery in the Fields case. Although a medical examination report from the State's file had been sent to the Respondent on February 4, 1998, the Respondent had made no other efforts to obtain discoverable information from the State's file. Due to concerns about the Respondent's ability to provide adequate representation to Mr. Fields, the court postponed the trial scheduled for April 15, 1998. Other counsel subsequently replaced the Respondent as attorney for the defendant. The Court concludes that the Respondent, by his acts and omissions while representing Tyrell Fields, engaged in misconduct as defined in Maryland Rule 16-701 k and that he violated Rules 1.1, 1.3 [3] and 8.4(d) of the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct.