In re Benge

Summary

The Louisiana Supreme Court considered disciplinary charges against Joan S. Benge arising from misconduct committed while she served as a district judge. The court found violations of Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(a), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d), and imposed a three-year suspension from the practice of law, retroactive to the date of her interim suspension.

Holdings

1. The record supported the finding that Benge's judicial misconduct violated Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(a), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d).
2. A three-year suspension from the practice of law, retroactive to the date of Benge's interim suspension, was the appropriate sanction.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Benge's judicial misconduct was proven by clear and convincing evidence and constituted violations of Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(a), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d).
2. What sanction was appropriate for Benge's ethical misconduct in light of the baseline sanction and aggravating and mitigating factors.

Disposition

other