State ex rel. Oklahoma Bar Association v. Janzen

Summary

The Oklahoma Supreme Court ordered the immediate interim suspension of Carolyn Janzen from the practice of law after receiving certified records of her no-contest felony plea and sentence for false pretenses/con game. The court retained jurisdiction despite her prior administrative removal from the bar rolls and established deadlines for showing cause regarding the interim suspension and final discipline.

Holdings

1. The Supreme Court retained jurisdiction to impose discipline on Janzen even though her name had previously been stricken from the rolls for failure to pay dues.
2. Upon receipt of certified copies of the specified criminal proceedings and judgment and sentence, the Supreme Court must immediately suspend the lawyer from the practice of law until further order of the court.
3. A certified copy of a guilty plea or the specified criminal charging and judgment documents constitutes the charge and conclusive evidence of the commission of the crime on which the judgment and sentence are based, and suffices as the basis for discipline under the disciplinary rules.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the Supreme Court of Oklahoma retained disciplinary jurisdiction over Janzen despite her prior administrative suspension for nonpayment of bar dues.
2. Whether certified copies of the criminal judgment and sentence required the Supreme Court to immediately suspend Janzen from the practice of law under Rule 7.3 of the Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings.
3. Whether the certified criminal records constituted conclusive evidence of the commission of the crime and a sufficient basis for disciplinary proceedings under Rule 7.2.

Disposition

other