Opinion ID: 1811017
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Did the Complaint Tribunal impose upon Mathis the appropriate discipline, under the facts and circumstances of this case, when it imposed a public reprimand?

Text: Regarding the purposes of punishment for ethical violations, this Court has said: First, there is the obvious intent to punish the wrongdoer to the degree that the sanction is appropriate for the offense. Secondly, many theories on the role of sanctions recognize their utility as a deterrence to further violations both on the part of the immediate offender and the general community. Finally, sanctions have a definite role in reinforcing the confidence of the general public in the ability of society to govern itself. This third role is particularly important in regard to Bar disciplinary proceedings because our profession assumes the responsibility of governing its members. Therefore, public confidence and faith in the integrity of the entire Bar is dependent upon our willingness to impose appropriate sanctions on our members who have violated the Code of Professional Responsibility. Pitts v. Mississippi State Bar Association, 462 So.2d 340, 343 (Miss. 1985). When determining sanctions for misconduct this Court considers the following: (1) the nature of the misconduct; (2) the need to deter similar misconduct; (3) preservation of the dignity and reputation of the profession; (4) protection of the public; and (5) sanctions imposed in similar cases. Steighner v. Mississippi State Bar, 548 So.2d 1294 (Miss. 1989); Broome v. Mississippi Bar, 603 So.2d at 353. The nature of Mathis' misconduct was deceit. The need to deter such acts is clear and pressing. Proliferation of similar actions would undoubtedly produce serious adverse consequences for the reputation and dignity of the profession as well as a general erosion of the principle that our society accomplishes justice through adherence to the rule of law. As for the protection of the public, the misconduct in issue does not present the dangers normally associated with attorney victimization of clients or the public at large. Sanctions imposed by this Court in similar cases support a harsher response than the reprimand issued below. For instance, in Mississippi State Bar v. Smith, 577 So.2d 1249 (Miss. 1991), this Court suspended an attorney for 60 days for deceiving a court by filing a false acknowledgment of the bank's receipt of settlement funds. A two year suspension was imposed on an attorney who deceived the court and the client in pursuit of a pecuniary gain. Goeldner v. Mississippi State Bar Ass'n, 525 So.2d 403 (Miss. 1988). After thoughtful consideration of these factors, we are of the opinion that the public reprimand imposed by the complaint tribunal was inappropriate. For Mathis' deceptions, which constituted violations of the provisions discussed above, it is ordered that he be suspended from the practice of law for a period of one (1) year. It is further ordered that Mathis comply with the Tribunal order assessing expenses and fees against him. VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND THE RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AFFIRMED: SUSPENSION FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW FOR A PERIOD OF 180 DAYS IS VACATED AND JAMES H. MATHIS IS SUSPENDED FROM THE PRACTICE OF LAW FOR A PERIOD OF ONE (1) YEAR, EFFECTIVE 20 DAYS FROM THIS DATE. HAWKINS, C.J., PRATHER, P.J., PITTMAN, BANKS, and McRAE, JJ., concur. SULLIVAN, J., dissents with separate written opinion joined by SMITH, J. ROBERTS, J., not participating.