Court Opinion

ID: 1039169
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-08-28 22:28:55.685964+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:27:39.667646
License: Public Domain

Supreme Court

       In the Matter of David J. Potkul.             No. 2012-241-M.P.

                                        ORDER

       This attorney disciplinary matter came before the Court at its conference on

October 11, 2012, pursuant to a petition for discipline filed by this Court’s Disciplinary

Counsel. Article III, Rule 24 of the Supreme Court Rules of Disciplinary Procedure,

entitled “Proceedings in cases involving conviction of crime” provides, in pertinent part:

               “An attorney admitted to practice in this State who is
               convicted in a court of record of a crime which is
               punishable by imprisonment for more than one (1) year in
               this or any other jurisdiction may * * * be ordered to appear
               before the court to show cause why his or her admission to
               the bar should not be revoked or suspended.”

       The facts giving rise to this petition are as follows. The respondent, David J.

Potkul, is a member of the Rhode Island Bar. On January 6, 2012, the respondent was

charged with two felony counts of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in personal

injury, in violation of G.L. 1956 § 31-26-1; and with one misdemeanor count of operating

a motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor in violation of G.L. 1956 § 31-27-2.

The three charges resulted from a single motor vehicle accident which occurred that

evening.

       On July 19, 2012, he entered a plea of nolo contendere to each of the charges. He

was sentenced to a two-year term of probation, to be served concurrently, on each of the

felony counts. On the misdemeanor count he was fined $500, ordered to perform twenty

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hours of community service, and ordered to attend DUI school. Additionally, his license

to drive a motor vehicle was suspended for one year.

       On August 16, 2012, Disciplinary Counsel forwarded to this Court a certified

copy of the judgments and his petition for discipline. We directed the respondent to

appear before the Court to show cause, if any, why the petition should not be granted.

The respondent appeared before the Court, without counsel. He did not contest the

factual allegations set forth in the petition. Disciplinary Counsel has recommended that

we publicly censure the respondent. The respondent on the other hand has requested that

we impose private discipline.

       After hearing the representations of Disciplinary Counsel and the respondent, we

deem it appropriate that discipline be imposed.         We note that the actions of the

respondent bear no relation to his practice of law. However, we have consistently stated

that “we expect all members of the bar to comport themselves in accordance with the

criminal laws of this state.” In re Casale, 10 A.3d 466, 467, (R.I. 2010) (mem.) (quoting

In re Ciolli, 994 A.2d 81, 82 (R.I. 2010) (mem.)); In re Hunter, 980 A.2d 755, 756 (R.I.

2009) (mem.).     Failure to obey those laws subjects an attorney to the disciplinary

jurisdiction of this Court, and there need be no nexus between the criminal conduct and

the practice of law. Hunter, 980 A.2d at 756.

       Professional discipline “serves two important functions: protecting the public and

maintaining the integrity of the profession.” In re Ciolli, 994 A.2d at 82. We believe that

an order of discipline is required in this case to maintain that integrity. The facts of this

case are very similar to those we addressed in In re Russo, 14 A.3d 225 (R.I. 2011). In

that case we publicly censured an attorney who had pled nolo contendere to a charge of

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leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury. We see no reason to impose a

lesser sanction in this case.

        Accordingly, the respondent, David J. Potkul, is hereby publicly censured.

        Entered as an Order of this Court this 15th day of October, 2012.

                                      By Order,

                                      __________/s/________________
                                      Clerk

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                          RHODE ISLAND SUPREME COURT CLERK’S OFFICE

                               Clerk’s Office Order/Opinion Cover Sheet

TITLE OF CASE:      In the Matter of David J. Potkul.

CASE NO:            No. 2012-241-M.P.

COURT:              Supreme Court

DATE ORDER FILED:   October 15, 2012

JUSTICES:           Suttell, C.J., Goldberg, Flaherty, Robinson, and Indeglia, JJ.

WRITTEN BY:         N/A – Court Order

JUDGE FROM LOWER COURT:

                    N/A – Court Order

ATTORNEYS ON APPEAL:

                    For Petitioner:    David D. Curtin, Esq.
                                       Chief Disciplinary Counsel

                    For Respondent: David J. Potkul, Pro Se