Court Opinion

ID: 9854976
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 06:17:39.838683+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:23:37.960536
License: Public Domain

MARTONE, Justice,
dissenting in part.
I join in much of the majority’s opinion and in the disposition, but disagree with the court’s analysis of the role of intent in the prior disciplinary rules, ante, at 139-140, 882 P.2d at 946-947.
The majority acknowledges that “there is no evidence that respondent was intoxicated on specific occasions when he dealt with Mrs. E.” Ante, at 140, 882 P.2d at 947. I gather, then, that it is his status as an alcoholic and illegal substance abuser that causes him to be such a bad lawyer, and not a specific act of intoxication or drug use which might otherwise negate intent. But no specific intent to violate the rules or harm the client was required, as long as the act itself was voluntary. There is no evidence that the acts were not intentional, unless we conclude that one’s status as an alcoholic or drug abuser is generally available to negate intent. But we know that cannot be the case. While intoxication at the time of a specific act can negate intent, the mere status of being an alcoholic is insufficient. I would hold that respondent did indeed violate DR 7-101(A)(l), (2), and (3).