Opinion ID: 1427557
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: agreed recommendation for discipline

Text: 1. That respondent receive a public censure from this Court and thereafter be on probation for one (1) year. 2. That respondent's probation be subject to the following conditions: a. Respondent's shall abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct; b. Respondent shall cooperate with the Office of General Counsel in any investigation of allegations of unprofessional conduct which have or may come to the General Counsel's attention. Either respondent's admission or the Trial Panel's findings of unprofessional conduct shall constitute conclusive evidence of a breach of this stipulation; c. Respondent shall certify quarterly during the probation to the Office of General Counsel that there are no files he is neglecting to handle with reasonable promptness. With respect to any files which might be regarded as being unreasonably delayed respondent shall identify such files and explain the delays in his quarterly report. d. Respondent shall be supervised by a member of the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee during his probation. Respondent's supervisor shall be required to immediately report any violations of the probation conditions to the General Counsel. e. Respondent shall pay restitution to D.G. in the amount of $1,000.00. 3. If during the probationary period the General Counsel concludes respondent has not complied with the conditions the General Counsel may file an application to revoke probation with the original Trial Panel and notice of this filing shall be given to respondent. A hearing shall be scheduled  with the Trial Panel and a determination made as to whether respondent violated the conditions of probation. If the Panel determines there was no violation, then the probation shall continue. If it finds a violation did occur, a recommendation shall be made to this Court for proper disciplinary action. 4. Probation shall be terminated at the end of the year if respondent complies with all the conditions. 5. Respondent shall be liable for the costs of the disciplinary proceedings and payment of the costs shall be a condition of probation. The PRT accepted and approved the proposed stipulations, with one modification. The PRT recommended in addition to the above that respondent pay interest on the $1,000.00 at 12.35% per annum from the date D.G. paid the retainer. Our review of the matter indicates respondent voluntarily of his own free will and knowingly agreed to the proposed stipulations and there is a factual basis therefore. We further find respondent guilty of professional misconduct as set forth in the proposed stipulations. Our remaining task is to determine the appropriate discipline for the misconduct. After reviewing the record we accept only partially the recommendation of the PRT. Under the circumstances of this case, in light of the conduct involved and the mitigation, we find the appropriate discipline to be public censure. From our review of the record we do not believe any purpose would be served by placing respondent on any type of probation for a one year period under the conditions outlined above, although we do note respondent agreed to work with a member of the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee. Respondent, however, shall be required to make restitution to D.G. in the amount of $1,000.00 with interest at the rate of 12.35% per annum from September 1, 1988. We have utilized the September 1 date because the record does not definitively disclose when the $1,000.00 was paid; it recites merely sometime in September 1988. Respondent shall be required to pay the $1,000.00 with interest within six (6) months from the date of this Order. Respondent will also be required to pay the costs of this matter within thirty (30) days from this date. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED: That the Proposed Stipulations of Fact and Conclusions of Law With Agreed Recommendation, be hereby approved as modified. Respondent, Keith Whiteley, upon the publication of this Order Imposing Discipline in the official reporter shall stand publicly censured. Respondent is Ordered to pay to D.G. within six (6) months from this date the sum of $1,000.00 with interest at the rate of 12.35% per annum, said interest to commence from the date of September 1, 1988. Respondent shall pay the costs of this disciplinary proceeding in the amount of $868.80 within thirty (30) days from this date. HARGRAVE, C.J., and HODGES, LAVENDER, SIMMS, DOOLIN, ALMA WILSON, KAUGER and SUMMERS, JJ., concur. OPALA, V.C.J., concurs in part; dissents in part.