The PEOPLE of the State of Colorado v. R. Alex RAINES, 36610 , 510 P.3d 1089 ( 2022 )

<div data-spec-version="0.0.3dev" data-generated-on="2024-05-13">
<div class="generated-from-iceberg vlex-toc">
<link href="https://doc-stylesheets.vlex.com/ldml-xml.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"></link>
<div class="ldml-decision"><div class="ldml-decision"><div href="/vid/928738250" data-vids="928738250" class="ldml-header header ldml-header content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-content-heading-label="Header"><p class="ldml-metadata"><span class="ldml-cite"><b class="ldml-bold">510 P.3d 1089</b></span></p><p class="ldml-metadata"><b class="ldml-bold"><span class="ldml-party"><span class="ldml-name">The PEOPLE of the State of Colorado</span>, <span class="ldml-role">Petitioner</span></span>,</b></p><p class="ldml-metadata"><b class="ldml-bold">v.</b><b class="ldml-bold"><span class="ldml-party"><span class="ldml-name">R. Alex RAINES, #36610</span>, <span class="ldml-role">Respondent</span></span>.</b></p><p class="ldml-metadata"><span class="ldml-cite"><b class="ldml-bold">Case Number: 20PDJ025</b></span></p><p class="ldml-metadata"><b class="ldml-bold">Office of Presiding Disciplinary Judge of the Supreme Court of Colorado.</b></p><p class="ldml-metadata"><span class="ldml-date"><b class="ldml-bold">April 27, 2022</b></span><span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-page_type="bracketed_cite" data-vol="510" data-rep="P.3d" data-val="1090" data-id="pagenumber_205"></span></p></div><p data-paragraph-id="205" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="205" data-sentence-id="206" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><b class="ldml-bold"><span class="ldml-refname">ORDER REVOKING PROBATION UNDER</span> <span class="ldml-cite">C.R.C.P. 251.7<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(e)</span></span></b></a></span></span></p><div class="ldml-opinion"><p data-paragraph-id="254" class="ldml-paragraph no-indent mt-4"><span class="ldml-opinionauthor content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-content-heading-label="Opinion (WILLIAM R. LUCERO)"><span data-paragraph-id="254" data-sentence-id="254" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-judge">WILLIAM R. LUCERO</span></span>, PRESIDING DISCIPLINARY JUDGE</span></span></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="301" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="301" data-sentence-id="301" class="ldml-sentence">In <span class="ldml-entity">May 2020</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">R. Alex Raines</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"<span class="ldml-localname"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span></span>"</span>)</span> stipulated to a six-month suspension, all to be stayed on his successful completion of a two-year period of probation, which carried certain conditions, including that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> violate no further <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_301"><span class="ldml-cite">Rules of Professional Conduct</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="301" data-sentence-id="565" class="ldml-sentence">Because <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> has since engaged in further misconduct, his probation must be revoked and his six-month suspension activated.</span></p><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-value="I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY" data-confidences="very_high" data-format="upper_case_roman_numeral" data-parsed="true" data-ordinal_end="1" data-ordinal_start="1" data-specifier="I" data-types="background" id="heading_686" data-id="heading_686" data-content-heading-label="I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY "><span data-paragraph-id="686" class="ldml-paragraph "><b class="ldml-bold"><span data-paragraph-id="686" data-sentence-id="686" class="ldml-sentence">I.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="686" data-sentence-id="689" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-underline">PROCEDURAL HISTORY</span></span> </b></span></section><p data-paragraph-id="708" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="708" data-sentence-id="708" class="ldml-sentence">On <span class="ldml-entity">May 11, 2020</span>, the Presiding Disciplinary Judge <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"the <span class="ldml-entity">Court</span>"</span>)</span> approved a <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Stipulation, Agreement and Affidavit Containing <span class="ldml-entity">the Respondent</span>'s Conditional Admission of Misconduct,"</span> suspending <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> from the practice of law for six months, all to be stayed on his successful completion of a two-year period of probation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="708" data-sentence-id="1031" class="ldml-sentence">In the stipulation, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> agreed that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> had not acted with reasonable diligence in representing a client in civil litigation and that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> later failed to notify a presiding tribunal that his client had passed away.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="708" data-sentence-id="1251" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> agreed that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> had violated <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 1.3</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-referenceseparator">and</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 8.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(d)</span></span></a></span></span></span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="1325" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="1325" data-sentence-id="1325" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s probation took effect on <span class="ldml-entity">June 15, 2020</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="1325" data-sentence-id="1378" class="ldml-sentence">As part of his probation, <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> was required to successfully complete ethics school; perform a law office audit with a qualified and experienced lawyer; complete the Colorado Lawyer Self-Assessment and review the assessment with the same lawyer <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-page_type="bracketed_cite" data-vol="510" data-rep="P.3d" data-val="1091" data-id="pagenumber_1620"></span> who conducted the audit; pay costs; and commit no further rule violations.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="1695" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="1695" data-sentence-id="1695" class="ldml-sentence">On <span class="ldml-entity">March 11, 2022</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">Justin P. Moore</span> and <span class="ldml-entity">Erin R. Kristofco</span>, of the <span class="ldml-entity">Office of Attorney Regulation <span class="ldml-entity">Counsel</span></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"<span class="ldml-entity">the People</span>"</span>)</span>, filed a <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"<span class="ldml-entity">Motion for Order to Show Cause</span> Pursuant to <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">C.R.C.P. 251.7<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(e)</span></span></a></span>,"</span> alleging that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> violated the terms of his probation by engaging in further misconduct that ran afoul of the <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_1695"><span class="ldml-cite">Rules of Professional Conduct</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="1695" data-sentence-id="2034" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The Court</span> issued a show cause order on <span class="ldml-entity">March 22, 2022</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="1695" data-sentence-id="2089" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> never responded to the show cause order.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-value="II. FINDINGS OF FACT" data-confidences="high" data-format="upper_case_roman_numeral" data-parsed="true" data-ordinal_end="2" data-ordinal_start="2" data-specifier="II" data-types="findings" id="heading_2140" data-id="heading_2140" data-content-heading-label="II. FINDINGS OF FACT "><span data-paragraph-id="2140" class="ldml-paragraph "><b class="ldml-bold"><span data-paragraph-id="2140" data-sentence-id="2140" class="ldml-sentence">II.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="2140" data-sentence-id="2144" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-underline">FINDINGS OF FACT</span></span> </b></span></section><p data-paragraph-id="2161" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="2161" data-sentence-id="2161" class="ldml-sentence">Because neither <span class="ldml-entity">party</span> requested a hearing under <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">C.R.C.P. 251.7<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(e)</span></span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span> relies on <span class="ldml-entity">the People</span>'s <span class="ldml-entity">motion to show cause</span> to find the following facts.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="2310" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="2310" data-sentence-id="2310" class="ldml-sentence">From <span class="ldml-entity">January 2021</span> to the end of <span class="ldml-entity">January 2022</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> was the <span class="ldml-entity">Assistant District Attorney</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"ADA"</span>)</span> for the 12th <span class="ldml-entity">Judicial District</span>, which encompasses Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache counties.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="2310" data-sentence-id="2533" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> served under <span class="ldml-entity">Alonzo Payne</span>, the elected District Attorney for the 12th <span class="ldml-entity">Judicial District</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="2310" data-sentence-id="2633" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The People</span> allege that as ADA, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> misused his power by engaging in threatening behavior that served no substantial purpose other than to burden, delay, or embarrass others.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="2310" data-sentence-id="2814" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">They</span> also maintain that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> abused his power and engaged in a pattern of behavior that prejudiced the proceedings and the administration of justice.</span></p><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth2" data-specifier="" data-parsed="true" data-value="12th Judicial District Probation Department" data-format="title_case_lacks_specifier_italics" id="heading_2961" data-id="heading_2961" data-content-heading-label="12th Judicial District Probation Department"><span data-paragraph-id="2961" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="2961" data-sentence-id="2961" class="ldml-sentence"><b class="ldml-bold">12th <span class="ldml-entity">Judicial District Probation Department</span></b></span></span></section><p data-paragraph-id="3004" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="3004" data-sentence-id="3004" class="ldml-sentence">On <span class="ldml-entity">March 19, 2021</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> appeared in <span class="ldml-entity">court</span> at a hearing, via WebEx, to address a criminal <span class="ldml-entity">defendant</span>'s violation of probation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3004" data-sentence-id="3135" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> represented <span class="ldml-entity">the prosecution</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3004" data-sentence-id="3175" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> and <span class="ldml-entity">the public defender</span> stated that <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> had agreed to revoke <span class="ldml-entity">the defendant</span>'s probation and then reinstate it.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3004" data-sentence-id="3297" class="ldml-sentence">The only condition of the reinstated probation was a 65-day jail sentence; under the terms of the agreement, however, <span class="ldml-entity">the defendant</span> would receive credit for 65 days served, and <span class="ldml-entity">the case</span> would be closed.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="3499" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="3499" data-sentence-id="3499" class="ldml-sentence">After <span class="ldml-entity">the parties</span> advised <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> of the agreement, the judge commented on the record that the resolution was <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"interesting."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="3499" data-sentence-id="3626" class="ldml-sentence">The judge asked for the probation officer's input.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3499" data-sentence-id="3677" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Kenna Gonzales</span>, the probation officer, had screened <span class="ldml-entity">the defendant</span> for community corrections, to which <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> was accepted.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3499" data-sentence-id="3796" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The defendant</span> had a pending charge for possession of a controlled substance in <span class="ldml-entity">Conejos County</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3499" data-sentence-id="3891" class="ldml-sentence">Gonzales relayed to <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> her concerns about the proposed resolution.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="3499" data-sentence-id="3965" class="ldml-sentence">After Gonzales spoke for a short period of time, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> objected <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(over WebEx)</span> and stated that the probation officer's role was not to object or to make recommendations that differ from the agreement between <span class="ldml-entity">the prosecutor</span> and the defense.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="4207" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="4207" data-sentence-id="4207" class="ldml-sentence">The judge informed <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> that probation's role was to provide its perspective, and <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> invited Gonzales to continue.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="4207" data-sentence-id="4328" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> interrupted the probation officer again.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="4207" data-sentence-id="4380" class="ldml-sentence">The judge threatened to mute <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> due to his continued interruptions while Gonzales made her recommendations.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="4495" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="4495" data-sentence-id="4495" class="ldml-sentence">After Gonzales made her record, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> stated that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> would withdraw the complaint and decline to prosecute the probation revocation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="4495" data-sentence-id="4633" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> maintains that although <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> did not withdraw that particular complaint, <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> had the discretion as <span class="ldml-entity">a prosecutor</span> to do so.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="4762" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="4762" data-sentence-id="4762" class="ldml-sentence">The judge said <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> was not inclined to accept the stipulation and asked <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> to state his position again.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="4762" data-sentence-id="4873" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> stated <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> would like to proceed and asked <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> to accept the stipulation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="4762" data-sentence-id="4963" class="ldml-sentence">After the judge declined to do so, the matter was continued until <span class="ldml-entity">April 2021</span>.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth2" data-specifier="" data-parsed="true" data-value="Respondent's Telephone Call of March 23, 2021" data-format="title_case_lacks_specifier_italics" id="heading_5040" data-id="heading_5040" data-content-heading-label="Respondent's Telephone Call of March 23, 2021"><span data-paragraph-id="5040" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="5040" data-sentence-id="5040" class="ldml-sentence"><b class="ldml-bold"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s Telephone Call of <span class="ldml-entity">March 23, 2021</span></b></span></span></section><p data-paragraph-id="5085" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="5085" data-sentence-id="5085" class="ldml-sentence">After the <span class="ldml-entity">March 19</span> hearing, 12th <span class="ldml-entity">Judicial District Chief Probation Officer</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-entity">Bill</span> Gurule</span> attempted to follow up with <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> about his behavior and statements at the hearing.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="5085" data-sentence-id="5261" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The People</span> maintain that Gurule informed <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> had no interest in challenging negotiations between prosecutors and defense <span class="ldml-entity">counsel</span> but that probation officers, as officers of <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span>, must answer questions posed by <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="5501" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="5501" data-sentence-id="5501" class="ldml-sentence">According to <span class="ldml-entity">the People</span>, Gurule believed this angered <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="5501" data-sentence-id="5567" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> said, <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-page_type="bracketed_cite" data-vol="510" data-rep="P.3d" data-val="1092" data-id="pagenumber_5584"></span> <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"show me any <span class="ldml-entity">case law</span> that says you have any say in these matters then I'll listen to you ... cite <span class="ldml-entity">case law</span> to me, <span class="ldml-entity">Bill</span>."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="5501" data-sentence-id="5707" class="ldml-sentence">Gurule recalled that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> continued to escalate his tone and stated, <span class="ldml-quotation quote"><span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">"you and your POs are not attorneys; you do not have law degrees, you did not attend law school and you do not have any say in these matters.</span> <span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">You are not <span class="ldml-entity">a party</span> to <span class="ldml-entity">this case</span>."</span></span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="5501" data-sentence-id="5959" class="ldml-sentence">Finally, Gurule reported that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> stated, <span class="ldml-quotation quote"><span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">"you guys aren't even state employees ... you do not work for <span class="ldml-entity">the state</span>.</span> <span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">You do not represent <span class="ldml-entity">the People of the State</span> ... that is my job; you guys just work for judicial but are not state employees."</span></span></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="6207" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="6207" data-sentence-id="6207" class="ldml-sentence">Gurule tried to deescalate and asked <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> to calm down.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="6207" data-sentence-id="6269" class="ldml-sentence">But <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> replied, <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"maybe my office should open an investigation on you, <span class="ldml-entity">Bill</span>."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="6207" data-sentence-id="6354" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> told <span class="ldml-entity">the People</span>'s investigators that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> recalls making a statement to the effect of, <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"I would hate to have to go back to my office and open an investigation."</span></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="6523" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="6523" data-sentence-id="6523" class="ldml-sentence">This statement left Gurule <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"speechless."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="6523" data-sentence-id="6564" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">He</span> interpreted it as a threat.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="6523" data-sentence-id="6595" class="ldml-sentence">Gonzales, who was also in the room and heard the conversation between Gurule and <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>, recalls the conversation transpired in a manner similar to Gurule's account.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="6523" data-sentence-id="6765" class="ldml-sentence">Gonzales also felt that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s statement about <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"opening an investigation"</span> was a threat; <span class="ldml-entity">she</span> believed <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> was using his power to supersede what the probation officers had to say.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="6947" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="6947" data-sentence-id="6947" class="ldml-sentence">According to Gonzales, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s behavior affected collaboration between the offices, making her job and the processing of challenging <span class="ldml-entity">cases</span> even more difficult.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="6947" data-sentence-id="7112" class="ldml-sentence">Gonzales also perceived that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s interference created an <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"extra barrier"</span> in already difficult <span class="ldml-entity">cases</span> and that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s behavior negatively affected the work environment.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth2" data-specifier="" data-parsed="true" data-value="Alamosa Police Department" data-format="title_case_lacks_specifier_italics" id="heading_7293" data-id="heading_7293" data-content-heading-label="Alamosa Police Department"><span data-paragraph-id="7293" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="7293" data-sentence-id="7293" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><b class="ldml-bold">Alamosa Police Department</b></span></span></span></section><p data-paragraph-id="7318" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="7318" data-sentence-id="7318" class="ldml-sentence">In <span class="ldml-entity">September 2021</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">Ken Anderson</span>, the Alamosa Chief of Police, met with <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">District Attorney Payne</span>, and two captains from the <span class="ldml-entity">Alamosa Police Department</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="7318" data-sentence-id="7479" class="ldml-sentence">The meeting was called to discuss preparing officers for trial testimony.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="7318" data-sentence-id="7553" class="ldml-sentence">But <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> and Chief Anderson began talking about press releases the police department issued about arrests related to drug trafficking.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="7693" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="7693" data-sentence-id="7693" class="ldml-sentence">Anderson reported that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> referenced these press releases in an angry way, suggesting <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> construed the releases as putting pressure on the district attorney's office to prosecute more drug crimes.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="7693" data-sentence-id="7898" class="ldml-sentence">Anderson also reported that during the discussion of the press releases, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> stated that if Anderson came after <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s boss, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> would come after Anderson.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="8073" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="8073" data-sentence-id="8073" class="ldml-sentence"><b class="ldml-bold"><span class="ldml-entity">Saguache County District Court</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_8073"><span class="ldml-cite">case number 21CR40</span></a></span></b></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="8122" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="8122" data-sentence-id="8122" class="ldml-sentence">Defense lawyer <span class="ldml-entity">Raymond Miller</span> represents <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_8122"><span class="ldml-refname">Juan Carlos Espinosa in Saguache County District Court</span> <span class="ldml-cite">case number 21CR40</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8122" data-sentence-id="8238" class="ldml-sentence">Miller negotiated with the assigned <span class="ldml-entity">prosecutor</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">Ricardo Rivera</span>, who offered Espinosa the opportunity to plead guilty to a class-four drug felony <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"DF4"</span>)</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8122" data-sentence-id="8392" class="ldml-sentence">The plea offer was a two-year deferred sentence, with probation as a condition.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8122" data-sentence-id="8472" class="ldml-sentence">In exchange, <span class="ldml-entity">the defendant</span> waived his right to a preliminary hearing on <span class="ldml-entity">September 15, 2021</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8122" data-sentence-id="8564" class="ldml-sentence">The matter was then bound over to <span class="ldml-entity">district court</span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="8613" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="8613" data-sentence-id="8613" class="ldml-sentence">On <span class="ldml-entity">November 16, 2021</span>, the matter came before <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> for a hearing.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8613" data-sentence-id="8683" class="ldml-sentence">Miller appeared on behalf of Espinosa, and <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> appeared for <span class="ldml-entity">the prosecution</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="8613" data-sentence-id="8767" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> made the following record:</span></p><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_8804" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="8804" class="ldml-sentence">So Your Honor, in reviewing the file this morning and looking at the notes, as sparse as <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> are, it comes to my attention that I think that Mr. Miller's intent today is to plead his client guilty to a Class 4 drug felony.</span> <span data-sentence-id="9028" class="ldml-sentence">Frankly, I don't know how that offer was ever conveyed.</span> <span data-sentence-id="9084" class="ldml-sentence">I have no intention of assigning <span class="ldml-parenthetical">[sic]</span> any plea paperwork that would effectuate that.</span> <span data-sentence-id="9170" class="ldml-sentence">I don't know if that was something that <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> need to litigate, because I don't know if—there's not a written preliminary hearing waiver.</span> <span data-sentence-id="9305" class="ldml-sentence">So I guess <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> may be in the position of needing to set a preliminary hearing.</span> <span data-sentence-id="9383" class="ldml-sentence">Because a DF4 off a DF1 with the allegations, with the waits <span class="ldml-parenthetical">[sic]</span> involved here is inappropriate.</span> <span data-sentence-id="9482" class="ldml-sentence">And I apologize that somehow that happened.<a href="#note-fr1" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-fr1">1</a></span> <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-page_type="bracketed_cite" data-vol="510" data-rep="P.3d" data-val="1093" data-id="pagenumber_9526"></span></blockquote><p data-paragraph-id="9526" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="9526" data-sentence-id="9527" class="ldml-sentence">Miller asked for a continuance because <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> had not been able to discuss the matter further with his client.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="9526" data-sentence-id="9634" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The court</span> agreed to continue the matter.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="9526" data-sentence-id="9675" class="ldml-sentence">In doing so, the judge said:</span></p><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_9703" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="9703" class="ldml-sentence">Obviously if Mr. Miller has a valid contact <span class="ldml-parenthetical">[sic]</span> agreement in place and can show that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> relied to his client's detriment on that offer, then obviously I would be disagreeing with Mr. Raines's ... point.</span> <span data-sentence-id="9908" class="ldml-sentence">However, if it was just <span class="ldml-quotation quote"><span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">‘I don't <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(indiscernible)</span>.</span> <span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">I don't know’</span></span>, then that is a different situation.</span> <span data-sentence-id="10009" class="ldml-sentence">So -- but I don't know because <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> don't – there's no minute orders for County <span class="ldml-entity">Court</span>.</span> <span data-sentence-id="10096" class="ldml-sentence">So -- so you know, and you all handle that as you need to.<a href="#note-fr2" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-fr2">2</a></span> </blockquote><p data-paragraph-id="10155" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="10155" data-sentence-id="10155" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The court</span> continued the matter to <span class="ldml-entity">December 16, 2021</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10155" data-sentence-id="10208" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> and Miller did not speak about <span class="ldml-entity">the case</span> between <span class="ldml-entity">November 16 and December 16, 2021</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10155" data-sentence-id="10302" class="ldml-sentence">But Miller met with District Attorney Payne on <span class="ldml-entity">November 29, 2021</span>, and informed Payne about <span class="ldml-entity">the case</span>'s posture.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10155" data-sentence-id="10413" class="ldml-sentence">Payne signed the <span class="ldml-entity">petition for entry of the same plea</span> agreement that Rivera had offered in <span class="ldml-entity">September 2021</span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="10518" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="10518" data-sentence-id="10518" class="ldml-sentence">On <span class="ldml-entity">December 16, 2021</span>, Miller and his client reviewed and signed the petition.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10518" data-sentence-id="10596" class="ldml-sentence">When Miller presented the petition to <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> responded angrily.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="10518" data-sentence-id="10675" class="ldml-sentence">The transcript of the hearing on <span class="ldml-entity">December 16, 2021</span>, captured this colloquy:</span></p><div class="ldml-embeddeddocument"><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_10750" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="10750" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">RESPONDENT</span>: I think that Mr. Miller's ignoring the fact that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span>'s going to have other clients that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> needs offers from, and <span class="ldml-entity">he</span>'s not behaving in a way that's very conducive to -- to getting things done.</span> <span data-sentence-id="10954" class="ldml-sentence">And I'm going to be factoring in his behavior here in every subsequent case.</span></blockquote><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_11030" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="11030" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">COURT</span>: All right.</span> <span data-sentence-id="11048" class="ldml-sentence">Well, let's not make statements like that.</span> <span data-sentence-id="11091" class="ldml-sentence">Because you certainly cannot hold who a person's attorney is against that person in making offers.</span> <span data-sentence-id="11190" class="ldml-sentence">That is highly, highly unethical.</span> <span data-sentence-id="11224" class="ldml-sentence">And I know, Mr. Raines, that you would not do that in real life.</span> <span data-sentence-id="11289" class="ldml-sentence">So I understand you are frustrated and I get that and I accept that, but let's not write checks that <span class="ldml-entity">we</span> can't cash, right?</span> <span data-sentence-id="11412" class="ldml-sentence">Well, here's the deal –</span></blockquote><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_11435" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="11435" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">RESPONDENT</span>: Well, what I'm saying is, Your Honor, Mr. Miller's burned all -- all trust that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> has with the <span class="ldml-entity">Assistant District Attorney</span>.</span> <span data-sentence-id="11572" class="ldml-sentence">And that's whether or not an attorney has trust with the person <span class="ldml-entity">they</span>'re trying to negotiate is certainly something that factors into every plea bargain.<a href="#note-fr3" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-fr3">3</a></span> </blockquote></div><p data-paragraph-id="11725" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="11725" data-sentence-id="11725" class="ldml-sentence">According to <span class="ldml-entity">the People</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s comments caused Miller to worry that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> would not be able to resolve <span class="ldml-entity">cases</span> favorably in the future and that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> would make Miller's clients suffer.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="11917" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="11917" data-sentence-id="11917" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><b class="ldml-bold"><span class="ldml-refname">Rio Grande County</span> <span class="ldml-cite">case number 21M123</span></b></a></span></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="11953" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="11953" data-sentence-id="11953" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">David Jones</span>'s firm, <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_11953"><span class="ldml-refname">Decker & Jones, represented Derrick Tate in Rio Grande County</span> <span class="ldml-cite">case number 21M123</span></a></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="11953" data-sentence-id="12055" class="ldml-sentence">Tate was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and violation of a protection order, both class-one misdemeanors.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="11953" data-sentence-id="12189" class="ldml-sentence">Tate was arrested and released with a summons to appear in <span class="ldml-entity">court</span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="12254" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="12254" data-sentence-id="12254" class="ldml-sentence">On <span class="ldml-entity">November 9, 2021</span>, Jones's firm entered an appearance and moved to continue the hearing set for <span class="ldml-entity">November 18, 2021</span>, because <span class="ldml-entity">counsel</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(Jones's partner <span class="ldml-entity">Christopher Decker</span>)</span> was out of <span class="ldml-entity">the state</span> on that date.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="12254" data-sentence-id="12459" class="ldml-sentence">The motion represented that Tate would appear in <span class="ldml-entity">court</span>.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="12514" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="12514" data-sentence-id="12514" class="ldml-sentence">On <span class="ldml-entity">November 17, 2021</span>, Jones's office manager, <span class="ldml-entity">Marilyn Underwood</span>, followed up with <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> clerk because <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> had not yet ruled on the <span class="ldml-entity">motion to continue</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="12514" data-sentence-id="12675" class="ldml-sentence">According to Underwood, <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> clerk informed her that the judge was going to grant the continuance but was leaving and did not have her calendar to set a new date.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="12514" data-sentence-id="12843" class="ldml-sentence">According to Underwood, the clerk informed her that neither <span class="ldml-entity">counsel</span> nor Tate needed to appear.<a href="#note-fr4" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-fr4">4</a></span> <span data-paragraph-id="12514" data-sentence-id="12938" class="ldml-sentence">Underwood then contacted Tate to inform him that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> did not need to attend.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="12514" data-sentence-id="13014" class="ldml-sentence">Tate and his <span class="ldml-entity">counsel</span> did not appear in <span class="ldml-entity">court</span> during the morning docket on <span class="ldml-entity">November 18</span>.<span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-page_type="bracketed_cite" data-vol="510" data-rep="P.3d" data-val="1094" data-id="pagenumber_13100"></span></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="13100" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="13100" data-sentence-id="13101" class="ldml-sentence">At the end of the morning docket that day, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> learned about the conversation between Jones's staff and <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> staff.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="13100" data-sentence-id="13229" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> then called Jones's office and asked to speak with Decker.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="13100" data-sentence-id="13299" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Christine Pocrnick</span>, Jones's receptionist, reports that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> was rude, so <span class="ldml-entity">she</span> transferred the call to Underwood, who attempted to explain why Jones and his client were not in <span class="ldml-entity">court</span> that morning.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="13498" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="13498" data-sentence-id="13498" class="ldml-sentence">According to Underwood, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> hardly allowed her to speak.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="13498" data-sentence-id="13562" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">He</span> yelled and accused her of improper behavior and communicating ex parte with <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="13498" data-sentence-id="13652" class="ldml-sentence">Jones called <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> that same day, <span class="ldml-entity">November 18</span>, to address the situation.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="13498" data-sentence-id="13730" class="ldml-sentence">Jones reported that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> continued his pattern of behavior, including by speaking over Jones and accusing him of ex parte communications with <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="13498" data-sentence-id="13889" class="ldml-sentence">Jones also remembered that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> said to him, <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"don't worry, I'm not going to grieve you."</span></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="13983" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="13983" data-sentence-id="13983" class="ldml-sentence">At around 1:30 p.m. the same day, <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> recalled <span class="ldml-entity">the case</span>, and Jones appeared with Underwood via WebEx.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="13983" data-sentence-id="14091" class="ldml-sentence">At the hearing, Jones informed <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> that due to some miscommunication, his office had told <span class="ldml-entity">the defendant</span>, Tate, that the office would get a new <span class="ldml-entity">court</span> date.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="14251" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="14251" data-sentence-id="14251" class="ldml-sentence">Even though Tate's attorney had filed a <span class="ldml-entity">motion to continue</span>; <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> was aware of the conversation and a likely miscommunication between <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> staff and Jones's staff; <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> had acknowledged there had been a miscommunication; and Jones's staff had told Tate <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> did not need to appear, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> nevertheless requested a warrant for Tate's arrest:</span></p><div class="ldml-embeddeddocument"><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_14608" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="14608" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">RESPONDENT</span>: I have an -- I have another suggestion if that doesn't work.</span> <span data-sentence-id="14681" class="ldml-sentence">Which is <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span> finds that Mr. Tate failed to appear this morning, vacates the trial, vacates the other hearing dates, and issues a warrant.</span> <span data-sentence-id="14825" class="ldml-sentence">That – that would give Defense <span class="ldml-entity">Counsel</span> adequate time to file their motions, and treat Mr. Tate like other individuals who didn't appear in <span class="ldml-entity">court</span> when <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> were instructed to.</span></blockquote><blockquote data-paragraph-id="b_14999" class="ldml-blockquote"><span data-sentence-id="14999" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">THE COURT</span>: I'm not – I'm not going to do that.</span> <span data-sentence-id="15046" class="ldml-sentence">It's clear to me there was some miscommunication.</span> <span data-sentence-id="15096" class="ldml-sentence">And as I previously indicated, I'm not assigning any blame regarding the miscommunication.</span> <span data-sentence-id="15187" class="ldml-sentence">It happened.</span> <span data-sentence-id="15200" class="ldml-sentence">It's a fact.</span> <span data-sentence-id="15213" class="ldml-sentence">Mr. Tate's on the phone now, and I don't think there's any need to issue a warrant.</span> <span data-sentence-id="15297" class="ldml-sentence">So I'm not --<a href="#note-fr5" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-fr5">5</a></span> </blockquote></div><p data-paragraph-id="15311" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="15311" data-sentence-id="15311" class="ldml-sentence">Based on these events, Jones felt it necessary to ask <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> to appoint a special <span class="ldml-entity">prosecutor</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="15311" data-sentence-id="15408" class="ldml-sentence">In his pleading, Jones expressed concern that because <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> accused him and his firm of unethical behavior, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> would not be fair to Tate.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="15311" data-sentence-id="15559" class="ldml-sentence">Citing <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">C.R.S. § 20-1-107</span></a></span>,<a href="#note-fr6" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-fr6">6</a> Jones maintained that <span class="ldml-quotation quote"><span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">"<span class="ldml-parenthetical">[f]</span>or <span class="ldml-entity">a prosecutor</span> to come so unhinged over <span class="ldml-entity">these facts</span>, it must be presumed <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> has a personal or financial interest in <span class="ldml-entity">the case</span>.</span> <span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">Likewise, the amount of anger and unprofessionalism directed toward <span class="ldml-entity">counsel</span> and his staff by <span class="ldml-entity">this prosecutor</span> are special circumstances that would render it unlikely that Mr. Tate would receive a fair trial."</span></span></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="15945" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="15945" data-sentence-id="15945" class="ldml-sentence">Jones asserted that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"volatile and outrageous conduct with <span class="ldml-entity">counsel</span> and his staff establish <span class="ldml-quotation quote">‘special circumstances’</span> warranting his removal because his egregious behavior was proceeded by his unjustified and meritless request to have a warrant issued for Mr. Tate's arrest even after being apprised that <span class="ldml-entity">counsel</span>'s office told him not to appear based on communications with <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span>."</span></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="16339" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="16339" data-sentence-id="16339" class="ldml-sentence">Jones later agreed to table his motion, which eventually was rendered moot because the district attorney's office assigned a new <span class="ldml-entity">prosecutor</span> to <span class="ldml-entity">the case</span>.</span></p></div></div><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-value="III. LEGAL STANDARDS AND ANALYSIS" data-confidences="very_high,very_high" data-format="upper_case_roman_numeral" data-parsed="true" data-ordinal_end="3" data-ordinal_start="3" data-specifier="III" data-types="analysis,backgroundlaw" id="heading_16491" data-id="heading_16491" data-content-heading-label="III. LEGAL STANDARDS AND ANALYSIS "><span data-paragraph-id="16491" class="ldml-paragraph "><b class="ldml-bold"><span data-paragraph-id="16491" data-sentence-id="16491" class="ldml-sentence">III.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="16491" data-sentence-id="16496" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-underline">LEGAL STANDARDS AND ANALYSIS</span></span> </b></span></section><p data-paragraph-id="16525" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="16525" data-sentence-id="16526" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">C.R.C.P. 251.7<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(e)</span></span></a></span> permits <span class="ldml-entity">the People</span>, should <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> receive information indicating that a lawyer may have violated probationary conditions, to move for an order requiring <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-page_type="bracketed_cite" data-vol="510" data-rep="P.3d" data-val="1095" data-id="pagenumber_16695"></span> the lawyer to show cause why her or his stayed suspension should not be activated.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="16525" data-sentence-id="16779" class="ldml-sentence">If either <span class="ldml-entity">party</span> so requests, <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span> must hold a hearing on the <span class="ldml-entity">motion</span>.<a href="#note-fr7" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-fr7">7</a></span> <span data-paragraph-id="16525" data-sentence-id="16853" class="ldml-sentence">In a probation revocation proceeding, <span class="ldml-entity">the People</span> bear the burden of establishing probationary violations by a preponderance of the evidence.<a href="#note-fr8" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-fr8">8</a></span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="16994" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="16994" data-sentence-id="16994" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The People</span> allege that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> violated his probationary conditions by engaging in professional misconduct.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="16994" data-sentence-id="17105" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">They</span> contend <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s conduct in the matters described above contravened <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 8.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(d)</span></span></a></span>, which forbids a lawyer from engaging in conduct that prejudices the administration of justice, as well as <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 4.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span></span></a></span>, which prohibits a lawyer, while representing a client, from using means that have no substantial purpose other than to embarrass, delay, or burden a third person.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="17486" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="17486" data-sentence-id="17486" class="ldml-sentence">Because <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> failed to answer <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span>'s show cause order, <span class="ldml-entity">the People</span>'s request could be deemed confessed or admitted.<a href="#note-fr9" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-fr9">9</a></span> <span data-paragraph-id="17486" data-sentence-id="17612" class="ldml-sentence">Even so, <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span> examines each incident <span class="ldml-entity">the People</span> describe, and it finds their <span class="ldml-entity">request to revoke</span> <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s probation is sound on the merits.</span></p><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth2" data-specifier="" data-parsed="true" data-value="Probation Department Interactions" data-format="title_case_lacks_specifier_italics" id="heading_17758" data-id="heading_17758" data-content-heading-label="Probation Department Interactions"><span data-paragraph-id="17758" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="17758" data-sentence-id="17758" class="ldml-sentence"><b class="ldml-bold">Probation Department Interactions</b></span></span></section><p data-paragraph-id="17791" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="17791" data-sentence-id="17792" class="ldml-sentence">Under the preponderance of the evidence standard, <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span> concludes that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> violated <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 8.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(d)</span></span></a></span> during the hearing of <span class="ldml-entity">March 19, 2021</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="17791" data-sentence-id="17942" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">He</span> interrupted the proceeding, attempting to arrogate to himself the power to control the information before the judge; indeed, his captious approach threatened to deprive <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> of Gonzales's perspective.<a href="#note-fr10" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-fr10">10</a></span> <span data-paragraph-id="17791" data-sentence-id="18151" class="ldml-sentence">Moreover, by petulantly warning that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> might decline to prosecute the probation revocation matter—simply because Gonzales had provided her opinion at <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span>'s request—<span class="ldml-entity">he</span> risked jeopardizing public safety.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="18359" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="18359" data-sentence-id="18359" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s comments to Gurule on <span class="ldml-entity">March 23, 2021</span>, violated <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 4.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span></span></a></span>.<a href="#note-fr11" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-fr11">11</a></span> <span data-paragraph-id="18359" data-sentence-id="18437" class="ldml-sentence">During that conversation, which Gurule initiated in the wake of the <span class="ldml-entity">March 19</span> hearing, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> darkly intimated that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> could open a criminal investigation against Gurule.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="18359" data-sentence-id="18611" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The Court</span> sees no purpose in this self-aggrandizing statement other than to bully and burden Gurule.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="18359" data-sentence-id="18712" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The Court</span> also credits Gonzales's concern that this intimidation tactic undermined collaboration between the prosecutorial and probation offices and made her job more difficult.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth2" data-specifier="" data-parsed="true" data-value="Alamosa Police Department" data-format="title_case_lacks_specifier_italics" id="heading_18889" data-id="heading_18889" data-content-heading-label="Alamosa Police Department"><span data-paragraph-id="18889" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="18889" data-sentence-id="18889" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><b class="ldml-bold">Alamosa Police Department</b></span></span></span></section><p data-paragraph-id="18914" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="18914" data-sentence-id="18915" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s remarks to Anderson were inappropriate and unprofessional.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="18914" data-sentence-id="18987" class="ldml-sentence">Nevertheless, as <span class="ldml-entity">the People</span> have reported the event, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s comments do not appear to relate to a particular judicial proceeding.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="18914" data-sentence-id="19123" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The Court</span> thus does not find that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s conduct during this incident violated <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 8.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(d)</span></span></a></span>.<a href="#note-fr12" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-fr12">12</a></span> <span data-paragraph-id="18914" data-sentence-id="19226" class="ldml-sentence">Nor did <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> issue his veiled threat in the course of representing a client in a particular matter, placing his conduct outside the scope of <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-page_type="bracketed_cite" data-vol="510" data-rep="P.3d" data-val="1096" data-id="pagenumber_19373"></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 4.4</span></a></span>.<a href="#note-fr13" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-fr13">13</a></span> <span data-paragraph-id="18914" data-sentence-id="19389" class="ldml-sentence">Further, <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span> cannot find that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> had no substantial purpose for uttering those comments other than to harass Anderson; <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> may have intended his remarks, however ill-delivered, as criticizing—and thus attempting to change—the law enforcement department's public communications policies and practices.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="18914" data-sentence-id="19703" class="ldml-sentence">For these reasons, <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span> cannot find by a preponderance of the evidence that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> violated <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 4.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span></span></a></span> in his discussion with Anderson.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="19853" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="19853" data-sentence-id="19853" class="ldml-sentence"><b class="ldml-bold"><span class="ldml-entity">Saguache County District Court</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_19853"><span class="ldml-cite">case number 21CR40</span></a></span></b></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="19902" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="19902" data-sentence-id="19903" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s handling of the Espinosa plea violated both <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 8.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(d)</span></span></a></span> <span class="ldml-referenceseparator">and</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 4.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span></span></a></span></span></span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="19902" data-sentence-id="19999" class="ldml-sentence">In <span class="ldml-entity">November 2021</span>, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> attempted to sabotage a <span class="ldml-entity">petition to enter a plea</span> agreement, which his colleague had already approved.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="19902" data-sentence-id="20130" class="ldml-sentence">When <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> objected to the substance of the plea, Miller, the defense lawyer, felt compelled to request a continuance, thereby delaying <span class="ldml-entity">the case</span>'s disposition.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="20294" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="20294" data-sentence-id="20294" class="ldml-sentence">A month later, when Miller presented the same plea, which <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s supervisor, the elected district attorney, personally approved, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> again objected.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="20294" data-sentence-id="20456" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">He</span> then implied that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> would penalize Miller's other clients based on Miller's conduct in <span class="ldml-entity">the case</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="20294" data-sentence-id="20557" class="ldml-sentence">These remarks were so inappropriate that the presiding judge admonished <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>, characterizing them as <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"highly, highly unethical."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="20294" data-sentence-id="20692" class="ldml-sentence">In leveling these threats, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> had no substantial purpose other than to harass Miller and perhaps to attempt to improperly coerce him into withdrawing the petition.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="20294" data-sentence-id="20864" class="ldml-sentence">Indeed, based on <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s statements, Miller feared that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>, an officer of <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span>, would refuse to behave fairly with him and his other clients in the future.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="20294" data-sentence-id="21038" class="ldml-sentence">This behavior imperiled the administration of justice and burdened Miller.<a href="#note-fr14" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-fr14">14</a></span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="21113" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="21113" data-sentence-id="21113" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><b class="ldml-bold"><span class="ldml-refname">Rio Grande County</span> <span class="ldml-cite">case number 21M123</span></b></a></span></span></p><p data-paragraph-id="21149" class="ldml-paragraph "> <span data-paragraph-id="21149" data-sentence-id="21150" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> violated <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 4.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span></span></a></span> <span class="ldml-referenceseparator">and</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 8.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(d)</span></span></a></span></span></span> in the Tate case.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="21149" data-sentence-id="21226" class="ldml-sentence">When Tate and his <span class="ldml-entity">counsel</span> failed to appear at the hearing, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> hectored both Underwood and Jones.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="21149" data-sentence-id="21331" class="ldml-sentence">Though <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> attempted to interject and explain what had occurred, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> yelled at them and accused them of improper or unethical behavior, though <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> mentioned that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> would not file a grievance against Jones.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="21149" data-sentence-id="21545" class="ldml-sentence">These diatribes served no substantial purpose other than to berate Underwood and Jones.<a href="#note-fr15" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-fr15">15</a></span> </p><p data-paragraph-id="21633" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="21633" data-sentence-id="21633" class="ldml-sentence">Later that day, <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> recalled <span class="ldml-entity">the case</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="21633" data-sentence-id="21678" class="ldml-sentence">During the hearing, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> requested that <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> issue a warrant for Tate's arrest.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="21633" data-sentence-id="21769" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">He</span> did so even though <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> knew Tate had been told not to attend the hearing.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="21633" data-sentence-id="21845" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"volatile and outrageous"</span> conduct so disquieted Jones that <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> asked <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> to appoint a special <span class="ldml-entity">prosecutor</span>, reasoning that Tate could not receive a fair trial with <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> helming <span class="ldml-entity">the prosecution</span>.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="21633" data-sentence-id="22061" class="ldml-sentence">Only after the district attorney assigned <span class="ldml-entity">the case</span> to a new <span class="ldml-entity">prosecutor</span> was the motion rendered moot.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="21633" data-sentence-id="22162" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The Court</span> finds that <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s behavior in this matter prejudiced the administration of justice; it necessitated Jones's motion, as it raised the question of whether <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> might punish Tate for Underwood's miscommunication with <span class="ldml-entity">court</span> staff.<a href="#note-fr16" class="ldml-noteanchor" id="note-ref-fr16">16</a></span> <span class="ldml-pagenumber" data-page_type="bracketed_cite" data-vol="510" data-rep="P.3d" data-val="1097" data-id="pagenumber_22411"></span></p></div></div><div class="ldml-section"><section class="ldml-heading content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-value="IV. CONCLUSION AND ORDER" data-confidences="medium" data-format="upper_case_roman_numeral" data-parsed="true" data-ordinal_end="4" data-ordinal_start="4" data-specifier="IV" data-types="conclusion" id="heading_22411" data-id="heading_22411" data-content-heading-label=" IV. CONCLUSION AND ORDER "><span data-paragraph-id="22411" class="ldml-paragraph "> <b class="ldml-bold"><span data-paragraph-id="22411" data-sentence-id="22412" class="ldml-sentence">IV.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="22411" data-sentence-id="22416" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-underline">CONCLUSION AND ORDER</span></span> </b></span></section><p data-paragraph-id="22437" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="22437" data-sentence-id="22437" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> engaged in a splenetic pattern of posturing, threats, and personal attacks while serving as <span class="ldml-entity">a prosecutor</span>, abusing the power of his office.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="22437" data-sentence-id="22587" class="ldml-sentence">Because this behavior prejudiced the administration of justice and intimidated third <span class="ldml-entity">parties</span>, violating <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 4.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span></span></a></span> <span class="ldml-referenceseparator">and</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 8.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(d)</span></span></a></span></span></span>, <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> breached the probationary condition requiring him to refrain from committing further rule violations.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="22437" data-sentence-id="22835" class="ldml-sentence">His probation should thus be revoked.</span></p><p data-paragraph-id="22872" class="ldml-paragraph "><span data-paragraph-id="22872" data-sentence-id="22872" class="ldml-sentence">Accordingly, <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span> <b class="ldml-bold">REVOKES</b> <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s probation, <b class="ldml-bold">LIFTS</b> the stay on <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span>'s six-month suspension, and <b class="ldml-bold">SUSPENDS</b> <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> from the practice of law for <b class="ldml-bold">SIX MONTHS</b> , <b class="ldml-bold">EFFECTIVE Wednesday, <span class="ldml-entity">May 11, 2022</span>.</b></span> <span data-paragraph-id="22872" data-sentence-id="23081" class="ldml-sentence">On that date, <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span> will issue an <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"Order and Notice of Suspension."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="22872" data-sentence-id="23153" class="ldml-sentence">Within fourteen days thereafter, <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> <b class="ldml-bold">SHALL</b> comply with <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">C.R.C.P. 251.28<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(d)</span></span></a></span>, requiring a lawyer to file an affidavit with <span class="ldml-entity">the Court</span> setting forth pending matters and attesting, <i class="ldml-italics">inter alia</i> , to notification of clients and of other jurisdictions where the lawyer is licensed.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="22872" data-sentence-id="23432" class="ldml-sentence">Should <span class="ldml-entity">Respondent</span> wish to resume the practice of law, <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> will be required to submit to <span class="ldml-entity">the People</span>, within twenty-eight days before the end of his suspension, an affidavit complying with <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">C.R.C.P. 251.29<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(b)</span></span></a></span>.</span></p></div></div><div class="ldml-notes content__heading content__heading--depth1" data-content-heading-label="Footnotes"><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="23637" class="ldml-paragraph "><sup class="ldml-superscript"></sup><a href="#note-ref-fr1" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-fr1">1</a> <span data-paragraph-id="23637" data-sentence-id="23638" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_9482"><span class="ldml-cite">Ex. 1 at 3:11-23</span></a></span>.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="23655" class="ldml-paragraph "><sup class="ldml-superscript"></sup><a href="#note-ref-fr2" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-fr2">2</a> <span data-paragraph-id="23655" data-sentence-id="23656" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_10096"><span class="ldml-cite">Ex. 1 at 5:6-15</span></a></span>.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="23672" class="ldml-paragraph "><sup class="ldml-superscript"></sup><a href="#note-ref-fr3" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-fr3">3</a> <span data-paragraph-id="23672" data-sentence-id="23673" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_11572"><span class="ldml-cite">Ex. 2 at 8:10-9:2</span></a></span>.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="23691" class="ldml-paragraph "><sup class="ldml-superscript"></sup><a href="#note-ref-fr4" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-fr4">4</a> <span data-paragraph-id="23691" data-sentence-id="23692" class="ldml-sentence">Some discrepancy exists about what the clerk told Underwood.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="23691" data-sentence-id="23753" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity">The court</span> informed Jones that its staff denied telling Underwood that Tate did not need to appear.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="23691" data-sentence-id="23852" class="ldml-sentence">But <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> also recognized that there had been <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"miscommunication ... on both ends."</span></span> <span data-paragraph-id="23691" data-sentence-id="23939" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-signal">See</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_23939"><span class="ldml-refname">Ex. 3</span> <span class="ldml-cite">at 10</span></a></span></span>:2-11:23.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="23963" class="ldml-paragraph "><sup class="ldml-superscript"></sup><a href="#note-ref-fr5" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-fr5">5</a> <span data-paragraph-id="23963" data-sentence-id="23964" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_15297"><span class="ldml-cite">Ex. 3 at 15:6-18</span></a></span>.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="23981" class="ldml-paragraph "><sup class="ldml-superscript"></sup><a href="#note-ref-fr6" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-fr6">6</a> <span data-paragraph-id="23981" data-sentence-id="23982" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">C.R.S. § 20-1-107</span></a></span> governs <span class="ldml-entity">motions to disqualify</span> prosecutors and appointment of special prosecutors.</span> <span data-paragraph-id="23981" data-sentence-id="24082" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_24082"><span class="ldml-cite">Subsection 2</span></a></span> of that provision states, in pertinent part, <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"The motion shall not be granted ... unless <span class="ldml-entity">the court</span> finds that the district attorney has a personal or financial interest or special circumstances exist that would render it unlikely that <span class="ldml-entity">the defendant</span> would receive a fair trial."</span></span></p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="24372" class="ldml-paragraph "><sup class="ldml-superscript"></sup><a href="#note-ref-fr7" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-fr7">7</a> <span data-paragraph-id="24372" data-sentence-id="24373" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_16779"><span class="ldml-cite">C.R.C.P. 251.7<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(e)</span></span></a></span>.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="24391" class="ldml-paragraph "><sup class="ldml-superscript"></sup><a href="#note-ref-fr8" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-fr8">8</a> <span data-paragraph-id="24391" data-sentence-id="24392" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_16853"><span class="ldml-cite"><i class="ldml-italics">Id.</i></span></a></span></span></p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="24395" class="ldml-paragraph "><sup class="ldml-superscript"></sup><a href="#note-ref-fr9" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-fr9">9</a> <span data-paragraph-id="24395" data-sentence-id="24396" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-signal"><i class="ldml-italics">See</i></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_24424,sentence_17486"><span class="ldml-cite">C.R.C.P. 121 § 1-15<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(3)</span></span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">the <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"failure of a responding <span class="ldml-entity">party</span> to file a responsive brief may be considered a confession of the motion"</span></span>)</span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_24550,sentence_17486"><span class="ldml-cite">C.R.C.P. 55<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span></span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">providing for entry of default when a properly served <span class="ldml-entity">party</span> fails to respond to a <span class="ldml-entity">motion seeking affirmative relief</span></span>)</span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span></span> <i class="ldml-italics">In re Bass</i> , <span class="ldml-entity">2013</span> CO <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">40 ¶¶ 3</span></a></span>, 14, <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_24717" data-refglobal="case:307p3d1052"><span class="ldml-cite">307 P.3d 1052</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">affirming a lawyer's probation revocation, which itself was premised on a default finding when the lawyer failed to respond to a show cause <span class="ldml-opinionnote">order</span></span>)</span></span>.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="24864" class="ldml-paragraph "><sup class="ldml-superscript"></sup><a href="#note-ref-fr10" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-fr10">10</a> <span data-paragraph-id="24864" data-sentence-id="24865" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-signal"><i class="ldml-italics">See</i></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_24930,sentence_17942" data-refglobal="case:inthematterofsmallno107,556294p3d1165feb22,2013"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">In re Small</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">296 Kan. 759</span>, <span class="ldml-cite">294 P.3d 1165, 1185, 1191</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2013</span>)</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">concluding a lawyer's use of threats and intimidation tactics towards opposing <span class="ldml-entity">counsel</span>, a judge, and disciplinary authorities violated <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_17942"><span class="ldml-cite">Rule 8.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(d)</span></span></a></span> </span>)</span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_25131,sentence_17942" data-refglobal="case:inrepetitionfordisciplinaryactionagainstjamesmalcolmvwilliams414nw2d394oct23,1987"><span class="ldml-refname"><i class="ldml-italics">In re Williams</i></span> , <span class="ldml-cite">414 N.W.2d 394, 397</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-court">Minn.</span> <span class="ldml-date">1987</span>)</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence"><span class="ldml-relatingauthority">finding</span> that a lawyer prejudiced the administration of justice when <span class="ldml-entity">he</span> <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"engaged in calculated trial tactics to provoke and bait opposing <span class="ldml-entity">counsel</span>, intimidate and demean witnesses, and obfuscate the record,"</span> thereby corrupting the trial process</span>)</span></span>.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="25375" class="ldml-paragraph "><sup class="ldml-superscript"></sup><a href="#note-ref-fr11" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-fr11">11</a> <span data-paragraph-id="25375" data-sentence-id="25376" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-signal"><i class="ldml-italics">See</i></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_25435,sentence_18359" data-refglobal="case:inthematterofholste302kan880,358p3d850oct9,2015"><span class="ldml-refname"><i class="ldml-italics">In re Holste</i></span> , <span class="ldml-cite">302 Kan. 880</span>, <span class="ldml-cite">358 P.3d 850, 854</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2015</span>)</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence"><span class="ldml-relatingauthority">finding</span> that a county attorney violated <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_18359"><span class="ldml-cite">Rule 4.4</span></a></span> by naming a person as <span class="ldml-entity">a defendant</span> in a suit when doing so had no substantial purpose other than to embarrass or burden that individual</span>)</span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_25683,sentence_18359" data-refglobal="case:robertsonscase,137nh113,626a2d397,400-011993"><span class="ldml-refname"><i class="ldml-italics">Robertson's Case</i></span> , <span class="ldml-cite">137 N.H. 113</span>, <span class="ldml-cite">626 A.2d 397, 400-01</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">1993</span>)</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence"><span class="ldml-relatingauthority">noting</span> that a lawyer's threatening tactics when seeking to resolve litigation were beyond the bounds of acceptable conduct and violated <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_18359"><span class="ldml-cite">Rule 4.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span></span></a></span> </span>)</span></span>.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="25833" class="ldml-paragraph "><sup class="ldml-superscript"></sup><a href="#note-ref-fr12" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-fr12">12</a> <span data-paragraph-id="25833" data-sentence-id="25834" class="ldml-sentence"><i class="ldml-italics">See</i> ABA <i class="ldml-italics">Annotated Model</i> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_25834"><span class="ldml-cite"><i class="ldml-italics">Rules of Professional Conduct</i> Rule 8.4</span></a></span> ann. <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_25834"><span class="ldml-cite">at 691</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(8th ed. <span class="ldml-entity">2015</span>)</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-relatingauthority">noting</span> that <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-refname">Model</span> <span class="ldml-cite">Rule 8.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(d)</span></span></a></span> is usually applied to conduct connected with a proceeding of a tribunal)</span></span>.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="26028" class="ldml-paragraph "><sup class="ldml-superscript"></sup><a href="#note-ref-fr13" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-fr13">13</a> <span data-paragraph-id="26028" data-sentence-id="26029" class="ldml-sentence"><i class="ldml-italics">See</i> ABA <i class="ldml-italics">Annotated Model Rules</i> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_26029"><span class="ldml-cite">Rule 4.4</span></a></span> ann. <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_26029"><span class="ldml-cite">at 471</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote"><span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">"<span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_26081"><span class="ldml-cite">Rule 4.4</span></a></span>, like <span class="ldml-entity"><span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_26081"><span class="ldml-cite">Rules 4.1</span></a></span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">,</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_26081"><span class="ldml-cite">4.2</span></a></span>, <span class="ldml-referenceseparator">and</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_26081"><span class="ldml-cite">4.3</span></a></span></span>, is explicitly directed at a lawyer's conduct in representing a client."</span></span>)</span></span></span><span data-paragraph-id="26028" data-sentence-id="26194" class="ldml-sentence">.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="26195" class="ldml-paragraph "><sup class="ldml-superscript"></sup><a href="#note-ref-fr14" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-fr14">14</a> <span data-paragraph-id="26195" data-sentence-id="26196" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-signal"><i class="ldml-italics">See</i></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_26222,sentence_21038"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 8.4</span></a></span></span> cmt. 5 <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote"><span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">"Lawyers holding public office assume legal responsibilities going beyond those of other citizens.</span> <span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">A lawyer's abuse of public office can suggest an inability to fulfill the professional role of lawyers."</span></span>)</span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference"><span class="ldml-cite">Colo. RPC 3.8</span></a></span></span> cmt. 1 <span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-quotation quote">"A <span class="ldml-entity">prosecutor</span> has the responsibility of a minister of justice and not simply that of an advocate,"</span> which includes <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"specific obligations"</span> to see that <span class="ldml-entity">a defendant</span> is <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"accorded procedural justice."</span>)</span><span class="ldml-referenceseparator">;</span> <span class="ldml-signal"><i class="ldml-italics">see also</i></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_26712" data-refglobal="case:inrealexander,232ariz1,10,300p3d536,5452013"><i class="ldml-italics"><span class="ldml-refname">In re Alexander</span>,</i> <span class="ldml-cite">232 Ariz. 1</span>, <span class="ldml-cite">300 P.3d 536, 547</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2013</span>)</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence"><span class="ldml-relatingauthority">finding</span> that <span class="ldml-entity">a prosecutor</span> prejudiced the administration of justice by filing lawsuits against certain judges, thereby sending a message to all judges that <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> risked having to defend against civil damages lawsuits if <span class="ldml-entity">they</span> made rulings that displeased the county attorney's office</span>)</span></span>.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="26994" class="ldml-paragraph "><sup class="ldml-superscript"></sup><a href="#note-ref-fr15" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-fr15">15</a> <span data-paragraph-id="26994" data-sentence-id="26995" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-signal"><i class="ldml-italics">See</i></span> <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_27051,sentence_21545" data-refglobal="case:inrepetitionfordisciplinaryactionagainstlynneatorgersonno208322,noa13–2305870nw2d602oct21,2015"><span class="ldml-refname"><i class="ldml-italics">In re Torgerson</i></span> , <span class="ldml-cite">870 N.W.2d 602, 610</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-court">Minn.</span> <span class="ldml-date">2015</span>)</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence">affirming a finding that a lawyer's abuse of <span class="ldml-entity">court</span> staff by yelling and screaming at them to move a hearing date violated <span class="ldml-entity"><a class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="sentence_21545"><span class="ldml-cite">Rule 4.4<span class="ldml-parenthetical">(a)</span></span></a></span> </span>)</span></span>.</span></p></div><div class="ldml-note ldml-note"><p data-paragraph-id="27187" class="ldml-paragraph "><sup class="ldml-superscript"></sup><a href="#note-ref-fr16" class="ldml-notemarker" id="note-fr16">16</a> <span data-paragraph-id="27187" data-sentence-id="27188" class="ldml-sentence"><i class="ldml-italics">Cf.</i></span> <span data-paragraph-id="27187" data-sentence-id="27192" class="ldml-sentence"><span class="ldml-referencechain"><span class="ldml-entity"><a href="/vid/893330960" data-vids="893330960" class="ldml-reference" data-prop-ids="embeddedsentence_27249,sentence_27188"><span class="ldml-refname"><i class="ldml-italics">In re Aubuchon</i></span> , <span class="ldml-cite">233 Ariz. 62</span>, <span class="ldml-cite">309 P.3d 886, 898</span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-date">2013</span>)</span></a></span> <span class="ldml-parenthetical">(<span class="ldml-embeddedsentence"><span class="ldml-relatingauthority">finding</span> that a lawyer prejudiced the administration of justice by violating <span class="ldml-quotation quote">"the public trust placed in prosecutors to wield their considerable power fairly and for the public good"</span></span>)</span></span>.</span></p></div></div></div></div>
</div>
</div>