State ex rel. Oklahoma Bar Association v. Ezell

Summary

The Oklahoma Supreme Court immediately suspended Julia Marie Ezell from practicing law after receiving certified records of her guilty pleas to misdemeanor offenses involving computer use and false reporting. The order established deadlines for Ezell to show cause regarding the interim suspension and to respond concerning final discipline.

Holdings

1. Upon receipt of certified copies of a lawyer's guilty plea, deferred-sentence order, or qualifying information and judgment and sentence, the Supreme Court must immediately suspend the lawyer from the practice of law until further order.
2. A certified copy of a guilty plea, deferred-judgment order, or information and judgment and sentence constitutes the disciplinary charge, is conclusive evidence of commission of the underlying crime, and suffices as a basis for discipline under the disciplinary rules.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the certified criminal documents submitted under Rule 7.2 of the Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings required the Supreme Court to immediately suspend Ezell from the practice of law under Rule 7.3.
2. What procedures and deadlines governed Ezell's opportunity to seek dissolution of the interim suspension or contest the imposition of final discipline.

Disposition

other