Opinion

Pearlin v. State Bar

  • 18 Cal. 2d 682
  • 117 P.2d 341
  • 1941 Cal. LEXIS 410
Court
California Supreme Court
Filed
Oct 1, 1941
Status
Published
Author
Carter
On the bench
Carter
Cited by
3 cases

The opinion

CARTER, J., Dissenting.

I dissent. While great weight should be given to the recommendation of the Board of Governors of The State Bar as to the discipline to be administered to the members of the bar who are found guilty of unprofessional conduct, it is obvious that the members of this court in reviewing a disciplinary proceeding are in substantially the same position as the Board of Governors with respect to the extent of the discipline to be administered, and in my opinion, the members of this court should exercise their independent judgment as to whether or not the discipline recommended by the Board of Governors is commensurate with the nature of the dereliction of the member of the bar in *685 each ease. At least, this has been the policy of this court in the past in cases of this character.

In the instant case, I am of the opinion that in view of the age and inexperience of petitioner, the smallness of the amount involved, the repayment of the money misappropriated by him, and the frank and open disclosure by him of his misconduct, the ends to be served by disciplinary measures would be served by suspension of petitioner’s right to practice law for a definite period rather than permanent disbarment.

While it may be impossible to arrive at a very high degree of uniformity in administering discipline in cases of this character, I believe that an attempt should be made to do so. A review <jf similar eases decided by this court where discipline has been administered convinces me that disbarment of this petitioner is clearly out of line with the discipline administered in such cases, and I am of the opinion that the suspension of petitioner from the practice of law for the period of two years is adequate punishment to be inflicted upon him for the misconduct committed by him which is the subject of this proceeding.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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