Summary
The Ohio Supreme Court reviewed disciplinary charges against Marion Neal Cox arising from his conduct as an acting municipal court judge and attorney. The court found violations involving abuse of contempt power, misrepresentations during the disciplinary investigation, a drug conviction, and abusive conduct toward opposing counsel, and imposed an indefinite suspension from the practice of law.
Holdings
- Respondent violated Canons 1, 2, 3(B)(4), and 4 of the Code of Judicial Conduct and DR 1-102(A)(5) and DR 1-102(A)(6) through his abuse of contempt power, misleading statements to disciplinary investigators, criminal drug conduct, and abusive conduct toward opposing counsel.
- The board's recommended one-year suspension was insufficient; respondent was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio.
Questions Presented
- Whether respondent violated the Code of Judicial Conduct and Code of Professional Responsibility through his misuse of contempt power, false statements during the disciplinary investigation, drug-related criminal conduct, and abusive treatment of opposing counsel.
- Whether the board's recommended one-year suspension was an adequate sanction for respondent's misconduct.
Disposition
other
Cases Cited (5)
- Windham Bank v. Tomaszczyk, 27 Ohio St. 2d 55, 56 O.O. 2d 31, 271 N.E.2d 815 (1971)(followed)
- Disciplinary Counsel v. Karto, 94 Ohio St. 3d 109, 114, 760 N.E.2d 412 (2002)(followed)
- Disciplinary Counsel v. Allen, 79 Ohio St. 3d 494, 495, 684 N.E.2d 31 (1997)(followed)
- Disciplinary Counsel v. O'Neill, 103 Ohio St. 3d 204, 2004-Ohio-4704, 815 N.E.2d 286, ¶ 33(followed)
- Columbus Bar Assn. v. Farmer, 111 Ohio St. 3d 137, 2006-Ohio-5342, 855 N.E.2d 462, ¶ 49(followed)
Cited In (0)
No citing cases on record yet.
Court Document
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