The Price Of Patronizing

The Indiana Supreme Court approved a conditional agreement for discipline and imposed a public reprimand of an attorney. The attorney had been charged with patronizing a prostitute, a class A misdemeanor. An agreement was reached in the criminal case to withhold prosecution in exchange for six hours of community service and attendance at a “Patronizing Impact Panel.” The attorney fulfilled the obligations and had no prior criminal or bar disciplinary record.

The parties agreed that the attorney violated Rule 8.4(b) in that the criminal act reflected adversely on honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer. (Mike Frisch)