NOTICE OF REPRIMAND (By Consent)
Case No. 92-130-GA James A. Forletta, P41872, Okemos, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Ingham County Hearing Panel #6.
1) Reprimand; 2) Effective December 8, 1992. The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a stipulation for consent order of discipline pursuant to MCR 9.115 (F)(5), which was approved by the hearing panel and the Attorney Grievance Commission. Respondent admitted the allegations of professional misconduct contained in the Formal Complaint.
Respondent was retained to represent a client who had been charged with Operating Under the Influence of Liquor, Second Offense, but failed to timely appear for one sentencing proceeding; failed to appear for two subsequent sentencing proceedings; failed to advise his client that he was not going to appear; did not obtain his client's consent to have another attorney appear in his place; failed to respond to the inquiries of his client concerning sentencing; and, failed to communicate with his client prior to sentencing, and without notification, moved his offices to a location unknown to his client.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104 (1-4); and the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, 1.1(c); 1.3; 1.4(a); 3.2; 8.4(a,c). Costs were assessed in the amount of $70.92.