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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission brings charges against attorneys who have violated the state’s rules for admission to the bar and Rules of Professional Conduct. The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications brings charges against judges, judicial officers, or judicial candidates for misconduct. Details of attorneys’ and judges’ actions for which they are being disciplined by the Supreme Court will be included unless they are not a matter of public record under the court’s rules.
Suspensions
Marion County attorney Brian J. Lutz, already suspended indefinitely due to disability in a separate disciplinary case, was suspended for 90 days without automatic reinstatement, effective immediately, per a Jan. 16 order. The order approving a statement of circumstances and conditional agreement for discipline says in six family law or criminal cases, Lutz failed to adequately communicate with clients, missed court hearings and conferences, or failed to appropriately advance client interests. Two of the cases resulted in disciplinary cases; in a third, Lutz was found in contempt and jailed for five days. The misconduct may have been caused in part by conditions that prompted Lutz’s disability suspension. Costs of the proceedings are assessed against Lutz.
Johnson County attorney Julia N. Compton was suspended for one year without automatic reinstatement, effective immediately, per a Jan. 18 order. Compton had been under suspension for failing to fulfill continuing legal education requirements. The Jan. 18 order approving a statement of circumstances and conditional agreement for discipline says Compton appeared at a child in need of services mediation late and intoxicated in October 2016, with a blood alcohol content of 0.23, nearly three times the legal limit for intoxication. In December 2016, she was arrested and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and a habitual offender count predicated on her prior OWI convictions. Compton had been suspended in for 180 days without automatic reinstatement in 2013 for multiple alcohol-related convictions. Costs of the proceedings are assessed against Compton.•
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