Public Censure For Domestic Violence

A public censure was imposed by the Colorado Presiding Disciplinary Judge for misconduct described in this summary

On December 20, 2012, Holcomb had an argument with his then-fiancée. According to police reports, Holcomb threw water at her, getting her wet, and pushed her toward the stairs, causing her to stumble. The police observed no injuries, nor did Holcomb’s then-fiancée report any. Holcomb pled guilty to Disorderly Conduct—Unreasonable Noise, a class I petty offense, with “domestic violence enhancer proven.” He was given a two-year deferred sentence. Conditions included twelve months supervised probation with domestic violence evaluation and treatment, no further infractions, drug and alcohol monitoring and testing, and 120 hours of public service. Holcomb successfully completed his deferred sentence and conditions of probation on November 14, 2014, and his guilty plea was withdrawn.

Holcomb did not report his conviction to the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel. He states that he read the reporting rule but interpreted it incorrectly.

Holcomb’s conduct violated Colo. RPC 8.4(b) (a lawyer shall not commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects) and Colo. RPC 3.4(c) (a lawyer shall not knowingly disobey an obligation under the rules of a tribunal).

The parties had submitted a conditional admission of misconduct. (Mike Frisch)