Court Opinion

ID: 9569991
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 20:19:13.274621+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:04:33.855160
License: Public Domain

RABINOWITZ, Chief Justice,
dissenting.
My difference with the majority’s opinion and the Board’s revised recommendation is that I would commence Schuler’s two-year suspension from the date of the issuance of this opinion, rather than from January 13, 1988 (the date of this court’s interim suspension of Schuler from the practice of law).
Schuler’s misdemeanor theft conviction constitutes a violation of disciplinary rules which prohibit illegal conduct involving moral turpitude and dishonesty. Compliance with these disciplinary rules is a duty that all attorneys owe to the public.
Here Schuler acted with criminal intent, the most culpable mental state according to the ABA Standards. Schuler’s misconduct clearly demonstrates an unfitness to practice law and causes serious injury to the public’s confidence in the legal profession.
Given the relevant facts in this record, I conclude that disbarment is an inappropriate sanction. Nevertheless, I believe that a significant suspension from the practice of law is indicated. In view of the fact that Schuler’s underlying misconduct involves his second conviction of intentional theft, I would hold that the stipulated sanction should be accepted with the exception that Schuler’s two-year period of suspension from the practice of law should run from the publication date of this opinion.