Legal Document

472 U.S. 634 105 S.Ct. 2874 86 L.Ed.2d 504 In re Robert J. SNYDER, Petitioner. No. 84-310. Argued April 16, 1985. Decided June 24, Syllabus Petitioner, who was appointed by the Federal District Court for of North Dakota to represent a defendant under Criminal Justice Act (Act), awarded almost $1,800 court services and expenses in handling assignment. As required with regard expenditures compensation excess $1,000, Chief Judge Appeals Eighth Circuit reviewed claim, found it be insufficiently documented, returned request additional documentation. Because computer problems, petitioner could not readily provide information requested form, but filed supplemental application. The Judge's secretary again application, stating that petitioner's documentation unacceptable; then discussed matter secretary, suggested he write letter expressing his views. October 1983, wrote which (in an admittedly "harsh" tone) declined submit further documentation, refused accept assignments Act, criticized administration Act. Viewing as seeking changes process providing fees, those concerns forwarded Judge. subsequent correspondence Judge, stated, inter alia, considered "totally disrespectful federal courts judicial system," unless apologized order would issued directing show cause why should suspended from practice Circuit. After apologize, "refusal carry out obligations practicing lawyer officer [the] court" because refusal Act; however, at hearing focused on whether disrespectful, apologize letter. Ultimately, law six months, indicating its action based continuing respect court," specifically finding "disrespectful statements" court's constituted "contumacious conduct" rendering him "not presently fit courts." Held: Petitioner's conduct expressions did warrant suspension practice. Pp. 642-647. (a) Under Rule Appellate Procedure 46, sets forth standard disciplining attorneys before appeals, attorney may or disbarred if guilty "conduct unbecoming member bar court." quoted phrase must read light complex code behavior are subject, reflecting burdens inherent attorney's dual clients system justice. this light, bar" is contrary professional standards shows unfitness discharge courts, inimical 642-645. (b) support fee afford basis declining award fee, record does Appeals' suspending practice; submission adequate only prerequisite collection affirmative obligation duties client court. Nor, ultimately concluded, legally obligated terms local plan cases A lawyer's criticism inequities constitute suspension; officers court, members appropriately express such matters. Even assuming exhibited unlawyerlike rudeness, single incident rudeness lack courtesy—in context here—does contemptuous contumacious conduct, courts; nor rise level warranting 645-647. 734 F.2d 334 (CA 8 1984), reversed. David L. Peterson, Bismarck, N.D., petitioner. John Greer, Spencer, Iowa, respondent, United States BURGER delivered opinion Court. 1 We granted certiorari review judgment all months. 2 * March Snyder completed assignment, submitted claim $1,898.55 expenses. reduced $1,796.05. 3 approve $1,000.1 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(d)(3). Lay information. technical problems software, form He did, file 4 proffered unacceptable. Petitioner Helen Monteith, view. led case. letter, addressed Ms. part: 5 "In first place, I am appalled amount money pays indigent criminal defense work. reason so few Bismarck work exact reason. have, up point, still accepted appointments, duty our profession, fact nobody else will do it. 6 "Now, we paid even cover overhead, have go through extreme gymnastics receive puny amounts authorize sent you everything concerning representation, sending anything else. You can take leave 7 "Further, extremely disgusted treatment us case, instructed remove my name list simply had "Thank your time attention." App. 14-15. 9 viewed one these turn 10 system. It demonstrates total legal Id., 16. 11 expressed concern both about failure "follow guidelines [refusal] cooperate questioned whether, "in view letter" "worthy any matter." stated intention issue period year. 17-18. Subsequently, again, dropped. At time, approved $1,000 plus $23.25. 12 talking petitioner, responded follows: 13 "He [petitioner] sees expression honest opinion, exercise right freedom speech. I, course, see youthful exuberant annoyance has now risen cause. . 14 decided although assured me intend interpreted it." 20. 15 22. Nowhere there reference disrespect 6, 1983. 16 order. response order, exclusively indigents contended compel lawyers indigents, noted many serve.2 also informed prior withdrawal panel, two partners taken percent their district. 17 hearing, mentioned Arnold asked: "I asking you, sir, prepared tone letter?" 40. answered: "That being brought today." Ibid. When arose, protested: "But, seems we're getting far afield here. question is, removed panel attorneys." 42. offered opportunity declined. conclusion stated: 19 want make clear Mr. what allowing ten days lapse here, consider. One that, general requirement competent pro bono stand willing ready perform comply statute. And secondly, reconsider position requested, 6." 50. 20 Following agreeing "enthusiastically obey mandates" new implementation Dakota, "make every good faith effort possible" regarding made no mention 51-52. 21 Snyder, among other things: 22 "The oral interrelated issuance displayed way Montieth [sic ], Van Sickle's expressly asked displayed. serve and, such, Canons Ethics require maintain institution. 23 "Before circulating February 23, 24 appreciate Arnold's specific request, wrote. 25 "Please let hear return mail. confident forthcoming dissolve order." 52-53. (Emphasis added.) Judge: 26 cannot, never, justice conscience, consider telling truth, albeit harsh terms. 27 "It unfortunate respective positions proceeding hardened. However, principle, stands consequences." 54. 28 receipt (1984). "contumaciously retract previous remarks 336. continued: 29 "[Petitioner's] demonstrate sincere retraction 'harsh' statements sufficient courts. All depend highest integrity judiciary well. Without public display branch government institution lawyers, cannot survive. hesitation find Snyder's CJA conduct. deem unfortunate. 30 "We shall months; thereafter, application district readmitted." 337. 31 offer future equitably structured "considerable merit." 339. 32 moved rehearing en banc. motion, presented affidavit secretary—the addressee letter—stating she encouraged send 33 Court, rather somewhat frustrated hoping comments might some process. 34 ". appeared number occasions always competently represented client, shown me." 83-84. 35 petition banc denied.3 An 36 gravamen situation [of 1983] became thing complain factually another counsel doing so. 37 38 states disrespectful. disagree. view, speaks itself." F.2d, 343. 39 stayed days, provided stay lifted failed apologize. took effect. 40 certiorari, 469 1156, 900, 83 916 (1985). reverse. II A. 41 challenges grounds protected First Amendment, denied due notice charge suspended, (c) challenged contemptuous. avoid constitutional issues when resolution necessary disposition Accordingly, warranted they not, occasion reach claims. 42 Courts long recognized authority suspend disbar lawyers. Ex parte Garland, Wall. 333, 378-379, 71 L.Ed. 366 (1867); Burr, Wheat. 529, 531, 152 (1824). This power derives role admission. Theard v. States, 354 278, 281, 77 1274, 1276, 1342 (1957). appeals4 set 46:5 43 "(b) Suspension Disbarment. been record, subject disbarment afforded cause, within prescribe, disbarred. Upon rule after upon expiration prescribed made, enter appropriate 44 "complex behavior" subject. Bithoney, 486 319, 324 (CA1 1973). Essentially, reflects Cardozo once observed: 45 " 'Membership privilege burdened conditions.' [An is] received into ancient fellowship something more than private gain. [becomes] like itself, instrument agency advance ends justice." People ex rel. Karlin Culkin, 248 N.Y. 465, 470-471, 162 N.E. 487, 489 (1928) (citation omitted). 46 enjoys singular powers others possess; virtue admission, share kind monopoly Admission creates license advise appear try cases; persons drop affairs called witnesses depositions pretrial processes while ultimate control conducted outside courtrooms. requires themselves manner compatible 47 Read traditional imposed attorney, More guidance case law, applicable rules, "the lore profession," embodied codes conduct.6 B 48 Apparently relying "prejudicial justice,"7 held unspecified demonstrated Its holding predicated [in [constituted] conduct." 49 examine determine supported evidence. fee; cases. 50 discipline suspension. employee charged administrative responsibilities, concerned practical acknowledged "merit," 339, instituted study result complaint. Officers 51 indicates letter; concedes "harsh," indeed illmannered. involved process—judges, litigants, witnesses, officers—owe courtesy participants. necessity civility inherently contentious setting adversary suggests cast criticisms civil tone. context—does Nor 52 53 Reversed. 54 BLACKMUN part decision statutory limit since raised $2,000. 3006A(d)(2) (1982 ed., Supp. III). Burleigh County Bar Association behalf 276 practitioners eligible Southwestern Division 87 were panel. 85. 341. Judges Bright McMillian voted grant explicit well stating: "[T]hereafter give itself indicates, admission placed, initial matter, itself. rebuttable presumption appears entitle 2(e)(2), reprinted Local Rules Civil Admiralty Proceedings Appeals. relied 46(c) action. While language without ambiguity, accompanying note Advisory Committee Rules, U.S.C.App., p. 496, provision "is appeals impose sanctions less serious breach rules." sanction 46(b), deals "suspension disbarment." expected defined ethical adopted licensing home state, 336, n. 4, cited Code Professional Responsibility controlling state responsibility own apply admit power; law. Hertz 52, 54-55 (CA8 1927). entitled, knowledge conform responsibility. uniform step entitled rely court; anticipates continued compliance 336-337. universally American jurisdictions. See, e.g., Disciplinary 1-102(A)(5), Responsibility; 8.4(d), Association, Model Conduct (1983); (1980).

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