Opinion
Case Number: SCBD-5842
03-12-2012
STATE OF OKLAHOMA ex rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION, Complainant, v. TAMMY L. BASS-LESURE, Respondent.
FOR PUBLICATION IN OBJ ONLY. NOT RELEASED FOR OFFICIAL PUBLICATION.
ORDER OF IMMEDIATE INTERIM SUSPENSION
The Oklahoma Bar Association (OBA), in compliance with Rule 7.1 and 7.2 of the Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings (RGDP), 5 O.S.2011, ch. 1, app. 1-A, has forward to this Court a certified copy of an order deferring sentence for a plea of guilty to two counts of violating title 56, section 185 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Rule 7.3 of the RGDP provides: "Upon receipt of the certified copies of Judgment and Sentence on a plea of guilty, order deferring judgment and sentence, indictment or information and the judgment and sentence, the Supreme Court shall by order immediately suspend the lawyer from the practice of law until further order of the Court." This Court has received the certified copies of these papers and orders that Tammy L. Bass-Lesure is immediately suspended from the practice of law. Tammy L. Bass-Lesure, is directed to show cause, if any, no later than March 27, 2012, why this order of interim suspension should be set aside. See RGDP Rule 7.3. The OBA has until April 3, 2012, to respond to Tammy L. Bass-Lesure's statement should one be filed.
Rule 7.2 of the RGDP provides that the certified copies of the order deferring judgment and sentence "shall constitute the charge and be conclusive evidence of the commission of the crime upon which the judgment and sentence is based and shall suffice as the basis for discipline in accordance with these rules." Pursuant to Rule 7.4 of the RGDP,Tammy L. Bass-Lesure has until April 11, 2012, to show cause in writing why a final order of discipline should not be imposed, to request a hearing, or to file a brief and any evidence tending to mitigate the severity of discipline. The OBA has until April 26, 2012, to respond.
DONE BY ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT IN CONFERENCE THIS 12th day of March 2012.
CHIEF JUSTICE
Taylor, C.J., Colbert, V.C.J., and Kauger, Watt, Winchester, Edmondson, Reif, and Combs, JJ., concur.
Gurich, J., recused.