Court Opinion

ID: 9860683
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 23:29:15.262156+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:26:22.536569
License: Public Domain

Wacheneeld, J.
(concurring in the result). Many judges I know have little zeal or ardor in the infliction of punishment in disciplinary matters. I have the same difficulty, and although my judgment varies with the circumstances, yet I doubt if I have “faltered” in my duty.
I cannot subscribe to a pronouncement by this court as to what we shall do in future cases without knowledge of the facts, nor am I much concerned with the vehement and superlative castigations made by others in this field of endeavor.
The punishment meted out, from my view, must be in accord with the humble dictates of my own conscience and not theirs.
“Be merciful as well as just” is an admonition I have long revered. It too may have a place in the disciplinary field, and the opinions written in this ease have not prevailed upon me to discard it.
I record myself only with the result of the majority.
For suspension for tioo years — Justices Heher, Oliphant, Wacheneeld, Burling and Jacobs — 5.
For disbarment — Chief Justice Vanderbilt and Justice Brennan — 2.