Tardy Slip
The Oklahoma Supreme Court has ordered an attorney’s immediate suspension
the OBA presented notices of criminal convictions for direct contempt of court for Minks= failure to appear on behalf of his clients at two felony jury trial sounding dockets and two disposition dockets, all in LeFlore County, Oklahoma. Minks was sentenced as follows:
a. In Case No. CF-2017-78, Minks was found guilty of Direct Contempt of Court on March 8, 2018, and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 1 day;
b. In Case No. CF-2016-611A, Minks was found guilty of Direct Contempt of Court on March 8, 2018, and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 1 day, to run concurrently with No. CF-2017-78;
c. In Case No. 2016-393, Minks was found guilty of Direct Contempt of Court on March 22, 2018, and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 3 days;
d. In Case No. 2017-78 (2nd offense), Minks was found guilty of Direct Contempt of Court on March 22, 2018, and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 3 days.
In addition to the 4 criminal convictions, the OBA listed 12 other incidents where Mink failed to appear at court hearings on behalf of his clients during the 3 months preceding the filing of the Notice in this Court. The OBA also alleged Mink failed to appear at a hearing for a client, failed to refund any portion of her fee after she terminated his employment, and refused to communicate with her regarding the unearned fee. The OBA further alleged Respondent acted in violation of statutes by damaging property, violating a protective order, and unlawfully operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs.
On March 30, this Court ordered Respondent to show cause no later than April 13, 2018, why an order of immediate interim suspension should not be entered. Respondent did not respond.
Upon consideration of the OBA= s Rule 6.2 verified complaint and application for an order of emergency interim suspension, and the evidence presented, the Court finds that Respondent=s has committed conduct in violation of the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct and such conduct poses an immediate threat of substantial and irreparable public harm.
(Mike Frisch)