Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. Hughes

Full title: OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL, Petitioner v. BERNARD JOSEPH HUGHES…

Court: SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Date published: Feb 4, 2013

No. 1872 Disciplinary Docket No. 3 (Pa. Feb. 4, 2013)

Opinion

No. 1872 Disciplinary Docket No. 3 No. 131 DB 2011 Attorney Registration No. 201586

02-04-2013

OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL, Petitioner v. BERNARD JOSEPH HUGHES, Respondent

PER CURIAM

(Philadelphia)

ORDER

PER CURIAM :

AND NOW, this 30th day of January, 2013, upon consideration of the Recommendation of the Three-Member Panel of the Disciplinary Board dated September 19, 2012, the Joint Petition in Support of Discipline on Consent is hereby granted pursuant to Rule 215(g), Pa.R.D.E., and it is

ORDERED that Bernard Joseph Hughes is suspended on consent from the Bar of this Commonwealth for a period of two years, the suspension is stayed in its entirety, and he is placed on probation for a period of two years subject to the following conditions:

1. Respondent shall abstain from using cocaine or any other mind-altering chemical;
2. Respondent shall regularly attend Narcotics or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings on a weekly basis;
3. A sobriety monitor shall be appointed to monitor Respondent in accordance with Disciplinary Board Rule §89.293(c);
4. Respondent shall establish his weekly attendance at Narcotics or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings by providing written verification to the Board on a Board-approved form;
5. Respondent shall undergo any counseling, out-patient or in-patient treatment, prescribed by a physician or alcohol counselor;
6. Respondent shall file with the Secretary of the Board quarterly written reports;
7. With the sobriety monitor, Respondent shall:

a) meet at least twice a month;
b) maintain weekly telephone contact;
c) provide the necessary properly executed written authorizations to verify his compliance with the required substance abuse treatment; and
d) cooperate fully.

8. The appointed sobriety monitor shall:

a) monitor Respondent's compliance with the terms and conditions of the order imposing probation;
b) assist Respondent in arranging any necessary professional or substance abuse treatment;
c) meet with Respondent at least twice a month, and maintain weekly telephone contact with him;
d) maintain direct monthly contact with the Narcotics or Alcoholics Anonymous chapter attended by the Respondent;
e) file with the Secretary of the Board quarterly written reports; and

f) immediately report to the Secretary of the Board any violations by the Respondent of the terms and conditions of the probation.