Document: 354 U.S. 278 77 S.Ct. 1274 1 L.Ed.2d 1342 Delvaille H. THEARD, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES of America. No. 68. Argued Dec. 13, 1956. Decided June 17, 1957. Mr. Theard, New Orleans, La., pro se. Edward Hickey, Washington, D.C., for the respondent. Justice FRANKFURTER delivered opinion Court. Because petitioner's disbarment by Supreme Court Louisiana, United States District Eastern Louisiana struck him from its roll attorneys, and Appeals Fifth Circuit affirmed order. 228 F.2d 617. The case raises an important question regarding a federal court on basis state so we granted certiorari. 351 961, 76 1030, 100 L.Ed. 1482. 2 A proceeding lawyer is always painful. circumstances this make it puzzling as well facts are few clear. It undisputed that petitioner, in 1935, forged promissory note collected proceeds. Criminal prosecution action were duly initiated but both aborted because petitioner was 'suffering under exceedingly abnormal mental condition, some degree insanity' at time behavior, to such he committed insane asylum decree interdiction until 1948. Years after, criminal unsuccessfully revived, State v. 212 La. 1022, 34 So.2d 248. proceedings, which led order now review, got way 1950 acting findings committee Bar Association, overruled exceptions petition disbarment. In doing, met plea insanity against claim misconduct with statement did not 'view deficiency his be valid defense disbarment.' Ass'n 222 328, 334, 62 501, 503. next year, 'after issue had been joined,' appointed Commissioner take evidence report fact conclusions law. reported deem vital before us: 'It must then, record, held respondent suffering insanity.' 225 98, 104, 105, 72 310, 312. deemed himself, however, bound 'the law case' announced 503, supra, according immaterial 'was probably amnesia other deficiencies misdeeds.' Ibid. second decision approved Commissioner's view about case,' added that, doctrine otherwise, would change previous ruling. 108, 313. 3 proceedings thus establish disbarred 1954 although fateful conduct concededly condition irresponsibility pronounced years judicial restraint. also active practitioner six preceding disbarment, after recovering capacity, including argument thirty-six cases Parish no charge or impropriety brought him. 4 Court, except within narrow limits review open recently canvassed Konigsberg California, 353 252, 722, Schware Board Examiners, 232, 752, sit judgment disbarments, any event sitting judgment. While admitted into court, automatically sent out same route. two systems courts, judicatures judiciary, have autonomous control over their officers, among whom, present context, lawyers included. court's lawyer's professional life derives relation responsibilities court. matter compendiously put Cardozo, while Chief Judge York Appeals. "Membership bar privilege burdened conditions.' (Matter Rouss, (221 N.Y. 81, 84, 116 N.E. 782, 783)). appellant received ancient fellowship something more than private gain. He became officer and, like itslef, instrument agency advance ends justice.' People ex rel. Karlin Culkin, 248 465, 470—471, 162 487, 489, 60 A.L.R. 851. power necessary protection public strip man implied representation courts who allowed hold himself practice them 'good standing' do. 5 rules various particularly provisions substantially Rule 8 28 U.S.C.A., dealing 'Where shown member has State, Territory, District, Commonwealth, Possession, guilty unbecoming will forthwith suspended thereupon afforded opportunity show good cause, forty days, why should disbarred.' Disbarment being very serious business is, ample cause accused disbarred. If accusation rests determination course brings title deeds high respect. But convlusively binding courts. recognition accorded extent responsibility remains judiciary authoritatively expounded Selling Radford, 243 46, 37 377, 61 585. short does flow Of conditions qualify judgment, one here relevant 'grave reason existed convince us allow natural consequences effect conflict duty upon disbar conviction principles right justice, constrained do.' Id., page 51, 379. 6 We do think justice' require enforce eighteen uttered forgery when Neither considerations relating cf. Messenger Anderson, 436, 444, 32 739, 740, 56 1152, nor temptation get bogged down quagmire controversy M'Naghten rule, automatic acceptance case. apparently felt itself bound. This error. therefore remanded disposition motion 1(f) General Rules, accordance standards defined opinion. 7 ordered. Case remanded. 9 CHIEF JUSTICE BLACK concur result. 10 WHITTAKER took part consideration

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