Opinion ID: 1733896
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Whether an out-of-state conviction may serve as conclusive proof of the criminal offense charged

Text: Under Rule Regulating The Florida Bar 3-7.2(b), a conviction serves as conclusive proof of guilt of the criminal offense charged. See also R. Regulating Fla. Bar 3-7.2(i)(3) (providing that where the underlying criminal charges constitute felony charges, determinations or judgments of guilt shall ... constitute conclusive proof of the criminal offense(s) charged). This Court has held that a referee may not go behind a conviction to determine whether or not the attorney is actually guilty of the offense. The attorney may only testify as to facts which may be considered in mitigation of the sanctions to be imposed. See Florida Bar v. Vernell, 374 So.2d 473 (Fla.1979); Florida Bar v. Horne, 527 So.2d 816 (Fla.1988). Therefore, Kandekore's felony conviction must be taken as conclusive proof of the crime he is alleged to have committed, assault of a law enforcement officer, and he may not challenge the validity of his New York conviction in the instant proceedings.