Opinion ID: 2293985
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Case Law Analysis

Text: The Board Panel's recommendation of an appropriate sanction is meant to assist the Court, but it is not determinative. In Re Bailey, 821 A.2d 851 (Del. 2003). The Court has wide latitude in determining the form of discipline, and the Court will review the recommended sanction to assure that it is appropriate, fair and consistent with ... prior disciplinary decisions. Id. at 877. Thus, prudence dictates that the Board Panel carefully review prior disciplinary precedent in making its recommended sanctions to the Court. Respondent directed the Board Panel to a digest of cases involving violations of Disciplinary Rule 8.4(b). (T-275.) However, the focus was primarily on three decisions: In Re McBride, 571, A.2d. 787 (Del. 1990); In Re Melvin, 807 A.2d 550 (Del. 2002); and In Re Gielata, 933 A.2d 1249 (Del.2007). Respondent argued that the McBride case stood for the proposition that an attorney suffering from a brain injury can be found to have presented mitigating evidence for the imposition of any sanctions. Mr. McBride was found to be suffering from a brain tumor which the medical evidence in that case revealed had caused him to neglect his clients and procrastinate in his legal work. In light of that finding, the disciplinary action was terminated due to the extraordinary circumstances of Mr. McBride's situation. That situation is distinguishable from the current case by the fact that Respondent has admitted that he knowingly and intentionally engaged in conduct in violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct. The Respondent to the Gielata case for the proposition that the crime which Mr. Gielata pled guilty to was one involving fraud and dishonesty. However, Mr. Gielata's crime was not a felony and it was a single crime and not multiple crimes as is the case now before the Board panel. In Gielata, the Supreme Court imposed a public reprimand upon Mr. Gielata for his violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct, and no medical records of his condition at the time of the alleged violation were part of the record. Respondent also directed the Board Panel to the Melvin decision. Mr. Melvin was indicted on a felony count of Tampering with Physical Evidence and two misdemeanors of Criminal Contempt of a Protection From Abuse Order and Hindering Prosecution. In Re Melvin, at 552. Based on a plea agreement, the State of Delaware dismissed the felony count and Mr. Melvin pled guilty to the misdemeanors. The Board Panel recommended a one year suspension. The Supreme Court determined that the appropriate suspension was 18 months. Unlike the case now pending, Melvin involved a guilty plea on two misdemeanors. The Respondent in this case has pled guilty to two felonies and six misdemeanors. ODC argues that the Delaware Supreme Court has consistently imposed the sanction of disbarment on attorneys who have been convicted or pled guilty to felonies. For that proposition, ODC directed the Board Panel to ABA Standard For Imposing Lawyer Sanctions 5.1 and 7.1. (T-259-260.) Specific reference was then made to decisions of the Supreme Court where felony convictions or pleas have resulted in disbarment. The cases cited are In Re Fink, 825 A.2d 238 (Del.2003). In Re Clyne, 581 A.2d 1118 (Del.1990), In Re Dorsey, 683 A.2d 1046 (Del.1996), In Re Funk, 742 A.2d 851 (Del.1999), and In Re Freebery, 947 A.2d 1121 (Del. No. 113, 2008). In each of these cases, the lawyer was guilty of committing a felony and in each case the Supreme Court imposed disbarment as the appropriate sanction. The Board Panel has considered the facts presented by ODC and Respondent and the Delaware authority relied upon by both parties and their respective arguments on the sanctions to be imposed. The Board Panel is not persuaded that a six-month suspension retroactive to April 30, 2007 is an appropriate sanction for the conduct exhibited by Respondent. Respondent pled guilty to two felony counts. Though both pleas were Alford pleas, it has been recognized that such a plea is for all intents and purposes the same as a guilty plea in any other fashion. See State v. Connor, 2005 WL 147931 at fns. 15, 16 and 17 (Del.Super.).