Court Opinion

ID: 3125242
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-16 15:05:51.473605+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:22:29.169329
License: Public Domain

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF KANSAS

                                               No. 113,578

                                  In the Matter of WENDELL BETTS,
                                             Respondent.

                           ORIGINAL PROCEEDING IN DISCIPLINE

          Original proceeding in discipline. Opinion filed October 16, 2015. Indefinite suspension.

          Alexander M. Walczak, Deputy Disciplinary Administrator, argued the cause, and Stanton A. Hazlett,
Disciplinary Administrator, was with him on the formal complaint for the petitioner.

          Ronald E. Wurtz, of Topeka, argued the cause, and Wendell Betts, respondent, argued the cause
pro se.

          Per Curiam: This is an original proceeding in discipline filed by the office of the
Disciplinary Administrator against the respondent, Wendell Betts, of Topeka, an attorney
admitted to the practice of law in Kansas in 1981.

          On October 29, 2014, the office of the Disciplinary Administrator filed a formal
complaint against the respondent alleging violations of the Kansas Rules of Professional
Conduct (KRPC). The respondent filed an answer on November 21, 2014. A hearing was
held on the complaint before a panel of the Kansas Board for Discipline of Attorneys on
February 26, 2015, where the respondent was personally present and was represented by
counsel. The hearing panel determined that respondent violated KRPC 8.4(b) (2014 Kan.
Ct. R. Annot. 680) (commission of a criminal act reflecting adversely on the lawyer's
honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer); 8.4(d) (engaging in conduct prejudicial

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to the administration of justice); and 8.4(g) (engaging in conduct adversely reflecting on
lawyer's fitness to practice law).

       Upon conclusion of the hearing, the panel made the following findings of fact and
conclusions of law, together with its recommendation to this court:

                                       "Findings of Fact

                 ....

                 "9.    During the early morning hours of January 24, 2013, the respondent and
       his wife argued. The respondent pushed his wife to a couch. The respondent's wife called
       the Shawnee County Sheriff's Department. After the deputy sheriff arrived, the
       respondent volunteered to vacate the residence. The deputy sheriff allowed the
       respondent to drive his vehicle away from the home.

                 "10.   In March 2013, the Shawnee County District Attorney's office charged
       the respondent with domestic battery and intimidation of a witness in case number
       2013CR363. Despite the pending charges, the respondent and his wife continued to share
       a residence.

                 "11.   On July 23, 2013, a Topeka police officer observed the respondent drive
       his automobile in a reckless manner. The police officer observed the respondent nearly
       strike a vehicle being driven by the respondent's wife, near the Topeka Law Enforcement
       Center.

                 "12.   The police officer detained the respondent, administered a breathalyzer
       test, and searched the respondent's vehicle. The respondent's breathalyzer test result was
       .04. The respondent admitted that he had been drinking beer and taking prescription pain
       medication, the police officer located an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. The
       respondent failed the field sobriety tests. The respondent's eyes were bloodshot.

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Additionally, during the search of the respondent's vehicle, he located a pipe with
marijuana and an unloaded handgun.

        "13.    As a result, the Shawnee County District Attorney's office charged the
respondent with eight counts, including one felony offense, five misdemeanor offenses,
and two traffic infractions in case number 2013CR1460: stalking (felony); driving under
the influence of alcohol (misdemeanor); possession of marijuana (misdemeanor);
possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor); transporting an open container of
alcohol (misdemeanor); violation of a protective order (misdemeanor); improper driving
on laned roadway (infraction); and improper left turn (infraction).

        "14.    On January 8, 2014, the respondent entered into a plea agreement with
the Shawnee County District Attorney's office. The respondent entered no contest pleas
to driving under the influence, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia,
and transporting an open container of alcohol. In exchange for the respondent's pleas, the
Shawnee County District Attorney's office dismissed the stalking charge, the battery
charge, and intimidation of a witness charge, and the two traffic infractions. Based on the
respondent's pleas, the court found the respondent guilty of driving under the influence,
possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and transporting an open
container of alcohol.

        "15.    That same day, the court sentenced the respondent to concurrent six
month jail sentences. The court ordered the respondent to serve 48 hours. Following the
completion of the 48 hours in jail, the court suspended the remainder of the jail sentence
and placed the respondent on supervised probation. As a term of probation, the court
ordered the respondent to refrain from possessing or consuming any alcohol and/or illegal
drugs. Further, as a term of probation, the court ordered the respondent to submit to drug
and alcohol testing.

        "16.    On August 14, 2014, the respondent submitted to a urinalysis. Some time
prior to the drug test, the respondent had used marijuana, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
As a result, the respondent's urinalysis showed the presence of marijuana,
methamphetamine, and cocaine in the respondent's system. Thereafter, on August 25,

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2014, the respondent's probation officer alleged that the respondent violated the terms of
his probation. That same day, the court issued a warrant for the respondent's arrest.

        "17.    On September 20, 2014, following a routine traffic stop, the respondent
was arrested on the warrant. The respondent appeared before the court on September 23,
2014, for a first appearance on the probation violation matter. The court scheduled the
hearing on the probation violation matter for October 2, 2014.

        "18.    On October 2, 2014, the court conducted a hearing on the allegations that
the respondent violated the supervised probation, by failing to remain law abiding and
failing to abstain from drugs and alcohol. The respondent stipulated that he violated the
conditions of probation: on May 23, 2014, he entered a plea of guilty to driving without
a driver's license in his possession (misdemeanor) and on August 14, 2014, he tested
positive for marijuana, methamphetamine, and cocaine. The court revoked the
respondent's probation, suspended the execution of the sentence of imprisonment, and
placed the respondent back on probation for an extended period of 12 months.

        "19.    On October 7, 2014, the respondent was transported from the jail to the
Veteran's Administration Hospital in Topeka, Kansas, for alcohol and drug treatment.
Following the completion of the alcohol and drug treatment program, the respondent was
transferred to the Veteran's Administration Hospital domiciliary in Leavenworth, Kansas.
The respondent remains at the domiciliary for drug, alcohol, and mental health treatment.

        "20.    In February, 2015, the respondent's psychiatrist placed the respondent
into a cognitive behavioral treatment program. The respondent is due to complete the
program in May, 2015.

        "21.    The respondent states that he has not attempted to practice law since his
arrest on July 23, 2013.

        "22.    The Kansas Supreme Court suspended his license to practice law on
September 18, 2013, for failing to complete the required continuing legal education.

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                                   "Conclusions of Law

        "23.    Based upon the respondent's stipulations and the above findings of fact,
the hearing panel concludes as a matter of law that the respondent violated KRPC 8.4(b),
KRPC 8.4(d), and KRPC 8.4(g), as detailed below.

                                       "KRPC 8.4(b)

        "24.    'It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to . . . commit a criminal act
that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in
other respects.' KRPC 8.4(b). In this case, the respondent entered a plea of no contest to
four crimes: driving under the influence of alcohol, possession of marijuana, possession
of drug paraphernalia, and transporting an open container of alcohol. In exchange for the
respondent's plea, the Shawnee County District Attorney's office dismissed a felony, two
misdemeanors, and two traffic infractions. The crimes which the respondent was
convicted of adversely reflect on the respondent's fitness as a lawyer. Accordingly, the
hearing panel concludes that the respondent violated KRPC 8.4(b).

                                       "KRPC 8.4(d)

        "25.    'It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to . . . engage in conduct that
is prejudicial to the administration of justice.' KRPC 8.4(d). For the past number of years,
the respondent has worked as a public defender for Shawnee County, Kansas. The
respondent's ability to represent indigent criminal defendants was compromised when he
engaged in criminal conduct. He could no longer defend cases against an entity which
was prosecuting him. Additionally, the respondent's commission of the criminal acts also
prejudices the administration of justice, given the respondent's reputation and relationship
with the criminal law practice in Shawnee County, Kansas. Finally, the respondent
engaged in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice when he violated the
court's order of probation. As such, the hearing panel concludes that the respondent
engaged in conduct that was prejudicial to the administration of justice, in violation of
KRPC 8.4(d).

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                                         "KRPC 8.4(g)

           "26.   'It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to . . . engage in any other
conduct that adversely reflects on the lawyer's fitness to practice law.' KRPC 8.4(g). The
respondent engaged in conduct that adversely reflects on his fitness to practice law when
he failed to comply with the terms and conditions of his probation. Specifically, the
respondent engaged in conduct that adversely reflects on his fitness to practice law when
he used marijuana, methamphetamine, and cocaine, leading to the positive urinalysis
result. The hearing panel concludes that the respondent violated KRPC 8.4(g).

                                 "American Bar Association
                         Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions

           "27.   In making this recommendation for discipline, the hearing panel
considered the factors outlined by the American Bar Association in its Standards for
Imposing Lawyer Sanctions (hereinafter 'Standards'). Pursuant to Standard 3, the factors
to be considered are the duty violated, the lawyer's mental state, the potential or actual
injury caused by the lawyer's misconduct, and the existence of aggravating or mitigating
factors.

           "28.   Duty Violated. The respondent violated his duty to the public and to the
legal profession to maintain his personal integrity.

           "29.   Mental State. The respondent knowingly violated his duty.

           "30.   Injury. As a result of the respondent's misconduct, the respondent caused
actual injury to the legal profession.

                            "Aggravating and Mitigating Factors

           "31.   Aggravating circumstances are any considerations or factors that may
justify an increase in the degree of discipline to be imposed. In reaching its

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recommendation for discipline, the hearing panel, in this case, found the following
aggravating factors present:

        "32.      Prior Disciplinary Offenses. The respondent has been previously
disciplined on five occasions.

                  a.     On June 2, 1995, the Kansas Supreme Court placed the
        Respondent on probation for 2 years for having violated MRPC 1.1,
        MRPC 1.3, and MRPC 8.4(d). In re Betts, 257 Kan. 955, 895 P.2d 604
        (1995).

                  b.     On January 23, 1998, the Kansas Supreme Court placed
        the Respondent on probation for 3 additional years for having violated
        MRPC 1.1, MRPC 1.3, MRPC 1.4, MRPC 1.15(d), MRPC 8.4(d), and
        Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 207. In re Betts, 263 Kan. 801, 953 P.2d 223 (1998).

                  c.     On July 14, 1998, the Disciplinary Administrator
        informally admonished the Respondent for having violated MRPC 1.1,
        MRPC 1.3, MRPC 1.4, and MRPC 8.4.

                  d.     On July 6, 2006, the Disciplinary Administrator
        informally admonished the Respondent for having violated KRPC 1.3
        and KRPC 8.4.

                  e.     On October 9, 2009, the Kansas Supreme Court
        censured the respondent for having violated KRPC 8.4(c). The Kansas
        Supreme Court published the censure in the Kansas Reports. In re Betts,
        289 Kan. 820, 217 P.3d 30 (2009).

        "33.      A Pattern of Misconduct. The respondent has engaged in a pattern of
criminal misconduct and abuse of alcohol and use of illegal drugs.

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        "34.     Multiple Offenses. The respondent committed multiple rule violations.
The respondent violated KRPC 8.4(b), KRPC 8.4(d), and KRPC 8.4(g). Accordingly, the
hearing panel concludes that the respondent committed multiple offenses.

        "35.     Substantial Experience in the Practice of Law. The Kansas Supreme
Court admitted the respondent to practice law in the State of Kansas in 1981. At the time
of the misconduct, the respondent has been practicing law for more than 30 years.

        "36.     Illegal Conduct, Including that Involving the Use of Controlled
Substances. The respondent's misconduct consisted of illegal conduct, including the use
of illegal substances. As such, the hearing panel concludes that the respondent's
misconduct is aggravated by the fact that the conduct was illegal.

        "37.     Mitigating circumstances are any considerations or factors that may
justify a reduction in the degree of discipline to be imposed. In reaching its
recommendation for discipline, the hearing panel, in this case, found the following
mitigating circumstances present:

        "38.     Absence of a Dishonest or Selfish Motive. The respondent's misconduct
does not appear to have been motivated by dishonesty or selfishness.

        "39.     Personal or Emotional Problems if Such Misfortunes Have Contributed
to Violation of the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct. The respondent has suffered
from 'lifelong bouts of depression that precipitate the cycle of using alcohol.' The
respondent's psychiatrist, Dr. Marian Mack of the Veteran's Administration Hospital,
specifically diagnosed the respondent with suffering from recurrent major depressive
disorder, insomnia, and alcohol dependence. According to Dr. Mack, the respondent is in
early remission from his alcohol dependence. Currently, the respondent is participating in
a 16 week cognitive behavioral therapy depression group. According to the respondent,
the cognitive behavior therapy is the treatment that he needs to properly address his
problems. Finally, according to the respondent's psychiatrist, the respondent's prognosis
is excellent. Additionally, the respondent has had marital difficulties for many years. On
August 5, 2013, the respondent filed for divorce from his wife of 40 years. The case

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remains pending before the Douglas County District Court. The respondent also testified
that on September 24, 2013, his oldest son, Chaz, age 32, died unexpectedly. It is clear
that the respondent's personal problems contributed to his misconduct.

        "40.     The Present and Past Attitude of the Attorney as Shown by His or Her
Cooperation During the Hearing and His or Her Full and Free Acknowledgment of the
Transgressions. The respondent fully cooperated with the disciplinary process. The
respondent admitted most of the underlying facts and the respondent stipulated that he
violated KRPC 8.4(b), KRPC 8.4(d), and KRPC 8.4(g).

        "41.     Previous Good Character and Reputation in the Community Including
Any Letters from Clients, Friends and Lawyers in Support of the Character and General
Reputation of the Attorney. The respondent is an active and productive member of the bar
of Topeka, Kansas. The respondent also enjoys the respect of his peers and generally
possesses a good character and reputation as evidenced by many letters received by the
hearing panel.

        "42.     Imposition of Other Penalties or Sanctions. The respondent has
experienced other sanctions for his conduct. The respondent was incarcerated for more
than 2 weeks.

        "43.     Remorse. At the hearing on this matter, the respondent expressed genuine
remorse for having engaged in the misconduct.

        "44.     Remoteness of Prior Offenses. The respondent's previous misconduct is
remote in time and character to the misconduct in this case.

        "45.     In addition to the above-cited factors, the hearing panel has thoroughly
examined and considered the following Standards:

        '5.12    Suspension is generally appropriate when a lawyer knowingly
                 engages in criminal conduct which does not contain the elements

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                 listed in Standard 5.11 and that seriously adversely reflects on
                 the lawyer's fitness to practice.

        '7.2     Suspension is generally appropriate when a lawyer knowingly
                 engages in conduct that is a violation of a duty owed as a
                 professional, and causes injury or potential injury to a client, the
                 public, or the legal system.'

                                     "Recommendation

        "46.     The disciplinary administrator recommended that the respondent's
license to practice law be suspended for a period of 2 years. The disciplinary
administrator further recommended that the respondent be required to undergo a
reinstatement hearing, under Supreme Court Rule 219, prior to consideration of any
petition for reinstatement. The respondent recognized that a period of suspension is
warranted given the misconduct in the case. The respondent joined the disciplinary
administrator's recommendation for a hearing pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 219.

        "47.     Accordingly, based upon the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and the
Standards listed above, the hearing panel unanimously recommends that the respondent's
license to practice law be suspended for a period of 2 years. The hearing panel further
recommends that the respondent be required to undergo a hearing pursuant to Supreme
Court Rule 219, prior to consideration of a petition for reinstatement. Finally, the hearing
panel recommends that at the reinstatement hearing, the respondent be required to show
the following:

                 a.      The respondent successfully completed the 16 week
        cognitive behavioral therapy depression group.

                 b.      The respondent has continued to engage in treatment as
        recommended by the treatment professionals and is in compliance with
        all treatment recommendations.

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                       c.       The respondent has continued to take all medications as
               recommended and prescribed by the treatment professionals.

                       d.       The respondent has remained completely abstinent from
               alcohol and illegal drugs from the date of this report to the date of his
               reinstatement hearing.

                       e.       The respondent's treatment professionals are in
               agreement that the respondent is fit to resume the practice of law.

                       f.       The respondent agrees to limit his practice to criminal
               law. The respondent agrees to engage in the practice of law in a
               structured group practice, i.e., law firm, public defender's office, legal
               aid, etc., and not in a solo practice setting.

               "48.    Costs are assessed against the respondent in an amount to be certified by
       the Office of the Disciplinary Administrator."

                                               DISCUSSION

       In a disciplinary proceeding, this court considers the evidence, the findings of the
disciplinary panel, and the arguments of the parties and determines whether violations of
KRPC exist and, if they do, what discipline should be imposed. Attorney misconduct
must be established by clear and convincing evidence. In re Foster, 292 Kan. 940, 945,
258 P.3d 375 (2011); see Supreme Court Rule 211(f) (2014 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 363).
Clear and convincing evidence is "'evidence that causes the factfinder to believe that "the
truth of the facts asserted is highly probable."'" In re Lober, 288 Kan. 498, 505, 204 P.3d
610 (2009) (quoting In re Dennis, 286 Kan. 708, 725, 188 P.3d 1 [2008]).

       Respondent was given adequate notice of the formal complaint, to which he filed
an answer, and adequate notice of the hearing before the panel and the hearing before this
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court. The respondent did not file exceptions to the hearing panel's final hearing reports.
As such, the findings of fact are deemed admitted. Supreme Court Rule 212(c) and (d)
(2014 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 383).

       The evidence before the hearing panel establishes by clear and convincing
evidence the charged misconduct violated KRPC 8.4(b) (2014 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 680)
(commission of a criminal act reflecting adversely on the lawyer's honesty,
trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer); 8.4(d) (engaging in conduct prejudicial to the
administration of justice); and 8.4(g) (engaging in conduct adversely reflecting on
lawyer's fitness to practice law), and it supports the panel's conclusions of law. We adopt
the panel's conclusions.

       The only remaining issue before us is the appropriate discipline for respondent's
violations. At the hearing before the panel, the office of the Disciplinary Administrator
and respondent recommended that respondent be suspended from the practice of law in
the state of Kansas for a period of 2 years and that respondent be required to undergo a
Supreme Court Rule 219 (2014 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 415) hearing prior to consideration of
a petition for reinstatement. The panel adopted those recommendations and added that at
the reinstatement hearing the respondent should be required to establish that:

              a. he has successfully completed the 16-week cognitive behavioral
       therapy depression group;

              b. he has continued to engage in treatment as recommended by the
       treatment professionals and is in compliance with all treatment
       recommendations;

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              c. he has continued to take all medications as recommended and
       prescribed by the treatment professionals;

              d. he has remained completely abstinent from alcohol and illegal
       drugs from the date of the final hearing report to the date of his
       reinstatement hearing;

              e. his treatment professionals are in agreement that the respondent is
       fit to resume the practice of law; and

              f. he agrees to limit his practice to criminal law and agrees to engage
       in the practice of law in a structured group practice, i.e., law firm, public
       defender's office, legal aid, etc., and not in a solo practice setting.

       At the hearing before this court, at which the respondent appeared, the office of
the Disciplinary Administrator recommended that respondent be suspended from the
practice of law in the state of Kansas for a period of 2 years, that respondent be required
to undergo a Supreme Court Rule 219 hearing prior to consideration of a petition for
reinstatement, and that respondent meet the six requirements recommended by the
hearing panel. The office of the Disciplinary Administrator suggested that respondent
could petition the court for a Rule 219 hearing at any time during the 2-year suspension
period. Respondent agreed with the 2-year suspension and requested that the effective
date of the suspension be retroactive to July 23, 2013, the date of his fateful traffic stop
and when he voluntarily ceased practicing law.

       We hold that, given respondent's disciplinary record and the nature of his current
problems, a more severe discipline than recommended by the panel should be imposed:
he should be indefinitely suspended effective as of the date of his administrative
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suspension, September 18, 2013; that respondent undergo a Rule 219 reinstatement
hearing; and that at the reinstatement hearing, the respondent should be required to
establish the six requirements set out by the panel in the final hearing report.

       A minority of the court would impose a less severe discipline.

                               CONCLUSION AND DISCIPLINE

       IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Wendell Betts be and is hereby disciplined by
indefinite suspension from the practice of law in the state of Kansas, in accordance with
Supreme Court Rule 203(a)(2) (2014 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 306), and that the effective date
of the suspension be made retroactive to September 18, 2013, the date of the
administrative suspension. It is further ordered that, prior to reinstatement, respondent
undergo a Rule 219 reinstatement hearing and that at the reinstatement hearing, the
respondent establish the six requirements set out above.

       IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the costs of these proceedings be assessed to the
respondent and that this opinion be published in the official Kansas Reports.

       LUCKERT and ROSEN, JJ., not participating.
       MICHAEL J. MALONE, Senior Judge, and TIMOTHY J. CHAMBERS, District Judge,
assigned.1

1
 REPORTER'S NOTE: Senior Judge Malone and District Judge Chambers were
appointed to hear case No. 113, 578 vice Justice Luckert and Justice Rosen under the
authority vested in the Supreme Court by K.S.A. 20-2616 and by art. 3, § 6(f) of the
Kansas Constitution respectively.

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