N.D.R. Lawyer Discipl.
RULE 3.1 GENERALLY
. . . . .
C. Summary Dismissal. A complaint must be summarily dismissed by the district inquiry committee if the alleged facts, if true, are not grounds for disciplinary action or disability. After summary dismissal of a complaint, the chair or vice-chair, as appropriate, shall promptly notify the lawyer and complainant of the action and furnish a copy of the complaint to the lawyer. The lawyer is not required to respond to the complaint. There is no appeal from a summary dismissal.
D. Investigation and District Inquiry Committee Procedures.
(1) Complaints not summarily dismissed must be promptly investigated by a member of the district inquiry committee or counsel.
(2) Upon assignment of the investigator, a copy of the complaint must be served on the lawyer.
(3) The lawyer, within twenty days of service of the complaint, shall serve a written response to the allegations in the complaint upon the assigned investigator. An extension may be granted by the chair only upon a showing of good cause. Failure to make a timely response is an admission that the factual allegations of the complaint are true for purposes of proceedings before the district inquiry committee.
At any time the complaint is under consideration by the district inquiry committee, the district inquiry committee may refer the lawyer to the lawyer assistance program for screening for possible participation in the lawyer assistance program. Screening for possible participation in the lawyer assistance program may also be initiated by the lawyer at any time the complaint is under consideration by the district inquiry committee.
(4) Concurrent with submission of the lawyer's written response under section D(3), the lawyer shall serve a copy of the response, including all attachments, upon the complainant. The lawyer shall provide to the assigned investigator proof of service of the response upon the complainant. Any subsequent written reply to the lawyer's response by the complainant must be provided to the lawyer within a reasonable time after receipt by the investigator.
(5) Within 60 days of assignment, absent an extension from the chair, the investigator shall file a written report with the chair containing a summary of the investigation and conclusions, the response received from the lawyer, and relevant documents. An extension may be granted by the chair only upon a showing of good cause.
(6) Notice of the opportunity to appear before the district inquiry committee must be provided to the complainant unless the complaint is subject to summary dismissal under Rule 3.1C, unless there is a diversion from discipline, or unless in the chair's opinion the complainant poses a threat of harm to the committee.
(7) Notice of the opportunity to appear before the district inquiry committee must be provided to the lawyer before entry of any discipline by the district inquiry committee, before diversion from discipline, or before referral for formal proceedings.
(8) Counsel shall promptly notify the complainant and lawyer in writing of the disposition of the complaint and the reasons for the inquiry committee's decision. The complainant, lawyer, or counsel may appeal any disposition, except a determination that there is probable cause or a diversion from discipline, to the board by filing a written request for review with counsel within 30 days of mailing of notice. Upon receipt of the written request, counsel shall refer the file to the board which shall consider the merits of the appeal. The determination of the board may be the subject of a petition for leave to appeal to the court, but leave will not be granted unless the person seeking leave to appeal shows that the board acted arbitrarily, capriciously, or unreasonably.
(9) The report required under section D(5) must be filed with the secretary upon disposition of the matter by the district inquiry committee.
E. Formal Proceedings.
(1) The board shall begin a formal disciplinary proceeding within 60 days of referral of a matter to the board for formal proceedings or within 60 days of the board's determination that there is probable cause to believe a lawyer committed misconduct warranting public discipline. Counsel shall initiate the proceeding by filing with the board and serving upon the lawyer a petition that is sufficiently clear and specific to inform the lawyer of the alleged misconduct. The time within which formal proceedings must be instituted may be extended for good cause. Upon receiving the petition the chair of the board shall assign the matter to a hearing panel.
At any time after assignment to the hearing panel, the hearing panel may refer the lawyer to the lawyer assistance program for screening for possible participation in the lawyer assistance program. Screening for possible participation in the lawyer assistance program may also be initiated by the lawyer at any time after the matter is assigned to the hearing panel. The hearing panel shall proceed with its consideration of the matter during the screening process.
(2) The lawyer shall serve an answer upon counsel and file the original with the assigned hearing panel within 20 days after the service of the petition, unless the time is extended by the chair of the hearing panel. In the event the lawyer fails to timely answer, the charges are admitted.
(3) If there are any material issues of fact raised by the pleadings or if the lawyer requests the opportunity to be heard in mitigation, the hearing panel shall give 25 days written notice of the hearing to the lawyer, complainant, and counsel, stating the date and place of hearing. The hearing must be held in a judicial district in which the lawyer resides, is employed, or maintains an office. The notice of hearing must advise that the lawyer is entitled to be represented by counsel, to cross-examine witnesses, and to present evidence. The hearing must be recorded. The hearing panel may request that a transcript be made.
(4) Disciplinary counsel and the respondent may submit proposed findings, conclusions, and
recommendations for sanction or order of dismissal to the hearing body
panel.
. . . . .
G. Reserved Authority. Nothing in these rules prevents the court from instituting disability or disciplinary proceedings, diversion from discipline, or participation in the lawyer assistance program on its own initiative.