A Cup Of Coffee

The Indiana Supreme Court has sanctioned an attorney

In May 2022, Respondent was involved in a motor vehicle collision that seriously injured an occupant of the other vehicle. Respondent unsuccessfully attempted to conceal his intoxication from the officer who responded to the scene of the accident, and a blood draw showed a 0.15 alcohol concentration level.

In June 2023, Respondent pled guilty to operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury, a level 5 felony. The requirements of Respondent’s three-year criminal probation include substance abuse evaluation and treatment, remote alcohol monitoring through Soberlink, and abstention from possessing or consuming alcohol. Respondent also has engaged the assistance of the Indiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (JLAP) and is
currently under a voluntary monitoring agreement.

Violation: The parties agree that Respondent violated Indiana Professional Conduct Rule 8.4(b), which prohibits committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on Respondent’s trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer.

Discipline: The Court, having considered the submissions of the parties, now approves the following agreed discipline.
For Respondent’s professional misconduct, the Court suspends Respondent from the practice of law for a period of 365 days, beginning December 20, 2023, with 60 days actively served and the remainder stayed subject to completion of at least two years of probation with JLAP monitoring. 

Fox 59 reported the attempt at concealment

 A Kokomo attorney, accused of driving while drunk and being involved in an accident with a motorcycle, reportedly tried to hide the odor of alcohol on his breath by drinking out of a deputy’s coffee cup when he thought the deputy wasn’t looking.

…Court documents reveal that Dechert took seven drinks out of the deputy’s coffee cup while he was seated in the police cruiser in an attempt to “conceal the odor of alcohol.” Dechert also reportedly moved the camera lens of the in-car camera to conceal himself drinking from the coffee cup.

(Mike Frisch)