DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS Judicial Discipline & Disability Commission Actions
Attorney Disciplinary Actions
On January 3, 2017, the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission announced the resignation and removal of Carroll County District Court (Western Division) Judge Timothy Paker in JDDC Case No. 16-329.
Final actions from October 3, 2016 December 31, 2016, by the Committee on Professional Conduct. Summaries prepared by the Office of Professional Conduct (OPC). Full text documents are available on-line either at http:// courts.arkansas.gov and by entering the attorney’s name in the attorney locater feature under the “Directories” link on the home page, or also on the Judiciary home page by checking under “Opinions and Disciplinary Decisions.” [The “Model” Rules of Professional Conduct are for conduct prior to May 1, 2005. The “Arkansas” Rules are in effect from May 1, 2005.]
On November 18, 2016, the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission announced that an agreed Letter of Informal Adjustment was issued to Sixth Judicial District Circuit Judge Mary McGowan, of Pulaski County, in Commission case #15-258. The full press releases can be found online at http://www.state.ar.us/jddc/ decisions.html.
REPRIMAND: HICKS, RICKEY H., Bar No. 89235, of Little Rock, in Committee Case No. CPC 2015-096, at a hearing before Panel C,
by Findings & Order filed November 16, 2016, was reprimanded and fined $7,500 for violations of Rules 1.1, 1.3, and 3.4(c) and assessed $550 costs. In assessing these sanctions, the panel found Hicks’ prior disciplinary record was a factor. The complaint was based on Case No. CR14-529, Evans v. State, a criminal appeal. In November 2012, Evans, represented by private counsel Hicks, was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Hicks accepted the representation of what was initially a death penalty case for a $30,000 fee, of which he testified only $10,000 was ever paid to him for the trial and appeal work. On November 14, 2012, Hicks filed Evans’ Notice of Appeal, indicating his client was then indigent. Hicks needed to file a motion for Evans to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP) in the appeal. Hicks wrote Evans in the Union County jail and requested Evans sign the Affidavit and Petition to proceed IFP. In February 2013, Hicks twice mailed Evans an affidavit of
David Stewart Joins Danielson Law Firm Former Executive Director of the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission Former District Judge for both the City of Little Rock and the City of Fayetteville Specializing in Judicial Discipline, Professional Conduct, Business Litigation
DANIELSONLAWFIRM.COM FAY E T T E V I L L E
|
BOONVILLE
(479) 93558313
Vol. 52 No. 1/Winter 2017 The Arkansas Lawyer
45