Court Opinion

ID: 2744961
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-10-23 14:08:12.288065+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:11:58.044074
License: Public Domain

TO BE PUBLISHED

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                              2014-SC-000399-KB

KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION                                                MOVANT

V.                           IN SUPREME COURT

JOHN SCOTT BENTON                                                 RESPONDENT

                             OPINION AND ORDER

      The Board of Governors of the Kentucky Bar Association (KBA) has

recommended that John Scott Benton be found guilty of two counts of

misconduct and be suspended from the practice of law for 181 days and be

referred to the Kentucky Lawyer Assistance Program (hereinafter "KYLAP").

      Benton was admitted to the practice of law in the Commonwealth of

Kentucky on October 11, 2002; his KBA member number is 89449; his bar

roster address is 201 Price Road, #205, Lexington, Kentucky 40511.

      KBA Case No. 19824 arises from a guilty plea entered by Benton in

Fayette Circuit Court on February 17, 2012, to one count of second-degree

wanton endangerment (reduced from an original felony count of first-degree

wanton endangerment) and one count of fourth-degree assault, both of which

are Class A misdemeanors. The charges relate to an altercation between

Benton and his then girlfriend that occurred around 2:00 a.m. on May 14,

2011, near the corner of Short and Market Streets in Lexington. After Benton

reportedly quickly and aggressively accelerated his car toward the victim, he
exited his vehicle brandishing a semiautomatic handgun. According to

witnesses, Benton then struck the victim in the head with either the pistol or a

closed fist, knocking her unconscious. 1 Benton was sentenced to 12 month

terms of imprisonment for both counts, to run concurrently, with the sentence

probated for two years subject to various conditions, including that he be

assessed for substance abuse and complete any recommended treatment,

submit to physical examination and random drug testing, and continue with

his recovery program.

      On May 31, 2012, the Inquiry Commission filed a complaint pursuant to

SCR 3.160(2), and Benton's counsel filed a response. 2

      On April 12, 2013, Probation Officer James Hamblin filed an affidavit

with the circuit court stating that Benton had violated probation conditions by

testing positive for marijuana, and requesting that his probation be revoked.

The court found that Benton violated the conditions of his probation, but

permitted him to continue probation under the same conditions. Benton was,

however, required to serve two weekends at the Fayette County Detention

Center for the violation.

      On July 3, 2013, Officer Hamblin filed another affidavit stating that

Benton had violated the conditions of probation by failing to report to his

       'Upon entering his guilty plea, Benton acknowledged only that he had struck
the victim across her chest with his arm and no mention was made of the presence of
a handgun. The victim was unconscious when police arrived, however, and a
semiautomatic 9-mm pistol was found in Benton's glove box.
      2 Benton was initially issued private admonitions with conditions pursuant to
SCR 3.185 for this complaint as well as the complaint in KBA Case No. 20289,
discussed below. The Inquiry Commission proceeded with these formal disciplinary
procedures due to Benton's failure to comply with the conditions of his probation as
discussed herein.
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probation officer as directed, which Benton admitted was the result of having

resumed using marijuana. Officer Hamblin again requested revocation, but the

court allowed probation to continue with the same conditions while adding the

requirement that, on August 16, 2013, Benton enter and complete the Hope

Center Program.

       On October 2, 2013, Officer Hamblin again filed an affidavit seeking

revocation of Benton's probation for additional violations, including failure to

complete the Hope Center Program due to discharge for noncompliance, failure

to report an arrest to his probation officer, 3 and absconding probation

supervision. Benton's whereabouts at that time were unknown.

       On January 9, 2014, the Inquiry Commission issued a one-count charge

of professional misconduct against Benton, alleging violation of SCR 3.130-

8.4(b). 4

       The separate events leading to Benton's second charge, KBA Case No.

20289, transpired in the meantime.

       On August 2, 2012, Benton entered a guilty plea in Fayette Circuit Court

to terroristic threatening, third-degree, which is a Class A misdemeanor. The

charge arose from threatening text messages and voicemails Benton sent to an

18-year-old male high school student who had been bullying Benton's

daughter. Benton was sentenced to sixty days imprisonment with credit for

time served, and he has served his time.

       3According to Officer Hamblin's affidavit, Benton was arrested on September
23, 2013, and charged with receiving stolen property.
       4 "It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to: . . . (b) commit a criminal act
that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer
in other respects[.]" SCR 3.130-8.4(b).
                                            3
      The Inquiry Commission filed a complaint pursuant to SCR 3.160(2) on

September 17, 2012. Benton's counsel filed a response. 5

      On December 27, 2013, the Inquiry Commission issued a one-count

charge of professional misconduct for violation of SCR 3.130-8.4(b).

      Benton filed no response to either charge. 6 As a result, this matter was

submitted to the Board of Governors as a default case.

      The Board voted unanimously, 16-0, to find Benton guilty of both

counts. After this vote, the Board considered Benton's lack of any prior

disciplinary history or other suspensions, withdrawals or resignations of his

membership in the. KBA. In light of Benton's conduct, the Board voted

unanimously to recommend a 181-day suspension, referral to KYLAP, and

payment of the costs of this proceeding.

      At this point neither the KBA's Office of Bar Counsel nor Benton have

sought review by the Court under SCR 3.370(7), and this Court declines to

undertake review pursuant to SCR 3.370(8). Therefore, the Board's

recommendation is hereby adopted pursuant to SCR 3.370(9).

                                        Order

      ACCORDINGLY, IT IS ORDERED THAT:

       1. John Scott Benton is found guilty of the above-described and

            admitted violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

      2. Benton is suspended from the practice of law for 181 days.

      5   See supra n.2.
       6 Both charges sent via certified mail to Benton's bar roster address were
returned as unclaimed. Service of the charges was ultimately made upon the
Executive Director of the KBA, who under SCR 3.175(2) is designated as Benton's
agent for service of process since he could not be reached by other means.
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3. Benton shall complete a KYLAP referral and assessment and comply

   with any recommendations by KYLAP.

4. As required by SCR 3.390, Benton will, within 10 days after issuance

   of this order of suspension from the practice of law for more than 60

   days, notify, by letter duly placed with the United States Postal

   Service, all courts or other tribunals in which he has matters pending,

   and all clients of his inability to represent them and of the necessity

   and urgency to promptly obtain new counsel. Benton shall

   simultaneously provide a copy of all such letters of notification to the

  'Office of Bar Counsel. Benton shall immediately cancel any pending

   advertisements, to the extent possible, and shall terminate any

   advertising activity for the duration of the term of suspension.

5. As stated in SCR 3.390(a), this order shall take effect on the 10th day

   following its entry. Benton is instructed to promptly take all

   reasonable steps to protect the interests of his clients. He shall not,

   during the term of suspension, accept new clients or collect unearned

   fees, and he shall comply with the provisions of SCR 3.130-7.50(5).

6. In accordance with SCR 3.450, Benton is directed to pay all costs

   associated with these disciplinary proceedings against him, said sum

   being $465.17, for which execution may issue from this Court upon

   finality of this Opinion and Order.

                                  5
All sitting. All concur.

ENTERED: October 23, 2014.

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