NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case No. 99-145-JC
Dale M. Strain, Jr., P-42226, Grand Rapids, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board vacating an Order of Reprimand entered by Tri-County Hearing Panel #51 and increasing discipline to a suspension of 180 days.
1) Suspension - 180 Days; 2) Effective October 21, 1999. The Grievance Administrator filed a judgment of conviction showing that respondent entered a plea of guilty on May 5, 1998 in the 57<SP:0.0416667>th<SP:0> District Court to the misdemeanor offense of contributing to the delinquency of a child in violation of MCL 750.145. The panel found that respondent did not contest the charge that he left his two year old child unattended at a family cottage in Allegan in order to attend to personal business in Grand Rapids. By a majority, the hearing panel concluded that respondent had not established eligibility for an order of probation under MCR 9.121(C) and that a reprimand was appropriate. The third panel member would have ordered a reprimand. The Grievance Administrator petitioned for review. On September 29, 1999, the Attorney Discipline Board entered an order vacating the hearing panel's order of reprimand and suspending respondent's license to practice law for 180 days commencing October 21, 1999 and until respondent's reinstatement in accordance with MCR 9.123(B) and MCR 9.124. Respondent's petition for reconsideration and request for immediate stay of discipline, filed October 21, 1999, were denied by the Board by an order entered November 16, 1999. Costs were assessed in the amount of $895.00.