March 09, 2020
2020 CO 19 No. 19SA93, In the Matter of W. Bradley Betterton-Fike
In this disciplinary proceeding, a hearing board concluded that an attorney violated Colorado Rule of Professional Conduct 8.4(d) by allegedly failing to pay a court reporter and Rule 8.4(b) by physically assaulting his wife. Based on these violations, it imposed a nine-month suspension from the practice of law.
The Supreme Court considered whether the attorney engaged in conduct “prejudicial to the administration of justice” in violation of Rule 8.4(d). Because the attorney had no legal obligation to pay the court reporter, the Court concluded that he did not violate this rule. Accordingly, the Court reversed the hearing board’s judgment as to the Rule 8.4(d) violation and remanded that case to the board to reconsider its sanction in light of this decision
2020 CO 20 No. 18SC406 People v. Cali
In this case, the Supreme Court held that a defendant is not entitled to the benefit of a statutory amendment when the amendment took effect while the defendant’s case was pending on direct appeal but the defendant did not raise the issue of the amendatory legislation until after his or her conviction became final.
Accordingly, the Court reversed the judgment of the division below.
March 9, 2020
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