Court Opinion

ID: 9847929
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 04:10:03.954529+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:17:47.436606
License: Public Domain

DUNN, Justice
(dissenting).
I am in agreement with the majority that our disbarment procedures are constitutional.
I am also in agreement with the majority that the prior record of disbarment may be considered in determining the appropriate discipline for Mr. Goodrich, but I am not in agreement that it should be considered in determining his guilt. The Ferguson case was investigated by the Grievance Committee some three years ago on the complaint of John Ferguson. Following a full disclosure of the handling of the accounts, John Ferguson withdrew his complaint. Dr. James Ferguson moved back to Australia and John Ferguson died. The file of the Grievance Committee was closed.
Upon a second complaint being filed in 1972 in the Bosanco case, which the referee heard and found to be “not proven”, the Ferguson case was resurrected and now is the basis of John Goodrich’s disbarment. If the Ferguson case was to be the basis of disbarment, it should have been prosecuted in 1971 when the Fergusons were available to testify. The renewal of these charges after almost three years have elapsed denies to Mr. Goodrich very fundamental rights. I must respectfully dissent.