Disciplinary Board of Supreme Court of State v. Peterson

446 N.W.2d 254, 1989 N.D. LEXIS 181
CourtNorth Dakota Supreme Court
DecidedSeptember 26, 1989
DocketCiv. 880295
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 446 N.W.2d 254 (Disciplinary Board of Supreme Court of State v. Peterson) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering North Dakota Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Disciplinary Board of Supreme Court of State v. Peterson, 446 N.W.2d 254, 1989 N.D. LEXIS 181 (N.D. 1989).

Opinions

LEVINE, Justice.

This is a disciplinary proceeding brought against Edward M. Peterson, Sr. Following formal proceedings initiated in 1986, a hearing panel of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court recommended that Peterson be publicly reprimanded, suspended from the practice of law for one year, and required to successfully complete the ethics portion of the bar examination before reinstatement.

Peterson contends that he was denied due process and the matter should be remanded for additional evidence and findings of fact. While Peterson does not dis[255]*255pute that the record supports the hearing panel’s findings, he asserts six grounds for his argument that he was denied due process: (1) his request for a continuance was denied; (2) Douglas Hart (the complainant) was not present at the hearing; (3) Hart’s deposition was admitted into evidence; (4) Peterson was not allowed to present evidence at the hearing; (5) a certain witness was not required to be present at the hearing; and (6) the chairman of the hearing panel ordered a briefing schedule and Peterson’s attorney1 did not file a brief.

We review disciplinary proceedings against attorneys de novo on the record, with the standard of proof being by clear and convincing evidence, and we accord due weight to the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the hearing panel. Matter of Ellis, 439 N.W.2d 808 (N.D.1989).

On Friday, April 22, 1988, Peterson’s attorney filed a motion for a continuance of the hearing set for Monday, April 25, 1988, on the following grounds:

“1. Medical Reasons.
“2. Time of this counsel budgeted for this matter referred to herein has been entirely used up, and this counsel does have more urgent matters to attend to.
“3. New matter that has arisen since the date the present hearing date was set (as outlined above).”

On April 24, 1988, some members of the hearing panel received an affidavit by Peterson about his medical problems. The panel found the motion tardy and denied it.

The brief filed by Peterson’s attorney in support of the motion for a continuance referred to medical problems being experienced by both Peterson and his attorney. As to Peterson’s medical problems, the brief stated that “we are not recommending that the panel’s activities should interfere with his medical problems, or vice versa.” As to medical problems being experienced by Peterson’s attorney, the brief presented rather lyrical, but, nonetheless, vague and unilluminating references to such things as discomfort and pain experienced by the attorney in driving long distances or sitting for long periods of time. The brief was singularly unhelpful in imparting to the hearing panel the nature and extent of the attorney’s illness. While we now know that Peterson’s attorney was seriously ill, that fact was not revealed to the hearing panel.

In Disciplinary Bd. v. Ellis, 418 N.W.2d 788 (N.D.1988), we concluded that the hearing panel should have granted a request for a continuance “because it was supported by a plausible medical reason why Ellis could not attend the scheduled hearing.” Here, however, Peterson’s request was not supported with a letter from a physician and was not supported by a plausible medical reason why either Peterson or his attorney could not attend the scheduled hearing. In fact, Peterson did attend and participate at the hearing. The hearing had been rescheduled at the request of Peterson’s attorney. The grounds for the motion were known to Peterson and his attorney well before the motion was filed and its eleventh-hour filing was untimely. Peterson told the panel that he came to the hearing “really against the advice of my counsel” and that “I want to get this over with, and that’s why I come down here this morning.” Peterson thereby waived any objection to the denial of a continuance. We are not persuaded that the hearing panel erred in denying the requested continuance.

The complainant, Hart, was not at the hearing. Peterson objected to Hart’s absence, arguing that he should be there for Peterson and the hearing panel to confront and observe. Hart’s‘April 16, 1988, deposition was admitted into evidence. Peterson contends that Hart could have been served with a subpoena at his April 16th deposition and that “by admitting the depo-' sition and not requiring the presence of Hart, Peterson was denied due process.”

Rules 10(h) and 21(a), N.D.R.D.P., entitle a respondent to cross-examine witnesses. Rule 21(f), N.D.R.D.P., provides: “Except [256]*256as otherwise provided in these rules, the North Dakota Rules of Civil Procedure apply to disciplinary proceedings.” Respondents may use civil discovery procedures in preparation for formal hearings. Lashkowitz v. Disciplinary Bd., 410 N.W.2d 502 (N.D.1987). Rule 11(a), N.D.R.D.P., provides that the hearing body, disciplinary counsel, or the respondent may, “in conformity with Rule 45,” N.D.R.Civ.P., “compel by subpoena the attendance of witnesses.” Rule 11(d), N.D.R.D.P., provides:

“With the approval of the hearing body, testimony may be taken by deposition ... if the witness is not subject to service of subpoena or is unable to attend or testify at the hearing because of age, illness or other infirmity....”

The fact that at his April 16th deposition, Hart could have been served with a subpoena to appear at the April 25th hearing is irrelevant. The hearing panel could not “compel” the attendance of Hart, who was a Minnesota resident in the process of moving to California. At Hart’s April 16th deposition, Peterson was represented by two attorneys, both of whom cross-examined Hart. At that deposition, Peterson’s lead attorney indicated that he contemplated use of Hart’s deposition rather than having Hart present at the hearing. Peterson’s attorneys cross-examined Hart at his deposition, Hart could not be compelled by subpoena to appear at the hearing, and his deposition was properly admitted. We find no error.

Peterson contends that he was denied due process because his attorney did not appear at the hearing and “Peterson was incapable of presenting and structuring evidence.” While Peterson’s attorney did not appear at the hearing in Grand Porks, Peterson did, and he told the hearing panel that “I have other counsel available in Grand Forks.” Peterson had the opportunity to be represented by counsel at the hearing. There ⅛ no indication in the record that “Peterson was incapable of presenting and structuring evidence.” Nor are we provided with any legal authority or argument on what the consequences would be if Peterson were unable to “present” and “structure” evidence. However, Peterson did present evidence in his behalf by testifying and introducing exhibits. The contention is unpersuasive.

Peterson contends that he was denied due process by the failure of a witness subpoenaed by disciplinary counsel to appear. Generally, a party asserting deprivation of the right to examine a witness who does not appear may not rely on the fact that the opposing party subpoenaed the witness. Great Plains Supply Co. v. Erickson,

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Disciplinary Board of Supreme Court of State v. Peterson
446 N.W.2d 254 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 1989)

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446 N.W.2d 254, 1989 N.D. LEXIS 181, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/disciplinary-board-of-supreme-court-of-state-v-peterson-nd-1989.