Legal Definitions - Standards for Lawyer Discipline

Standards for Lawyer Discipline are a set of guidelines created by the American Bar Association (ABA) in 1979. These guidelines establish procedures for disciplining lawyers who violate ethics rules or commit crimes. The main purpose of these rules is to determine whether an attorney is fit to practice law, rather than to punish them.

For example, if a lawyer is found to have stolen money from a client's account, they may be subject to disciplinary action. The Standards for Lawyer Discipline provide a framework for investigating the lawyer's conduct, determining the appropriate punishment, and ensuring that the lawyer is held accountable for their actions.

Another example could be a lawyer who engages in unethical behavior, such as lying to a judge or tampering with evidence. The Standards for Lawyer Discipline would provide a process for investigating the lawyer's conduct, determining whether they violated any ethical rules, and deciding on an appropriate punishment.

Overall, the Standards for Lawyer Discipline are an important tool for maintaining the integrity of the legal profession and ensuring that lawyers are held accountable for their actions.