Opinion
Supreme Court Case No. 21S-DI-530
12-16-2021
In the MATTER OF: Jeremy B. JOHNSON, Respondent
Published Order Approving Statement of Circumstances and Conditional Agreement for Discipline
Pursuant to Indiana Admission and Discipline Rule 23 (12.1)(b), the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission and Respondent have submitted for approval a "Statement of Circumstances and Conditional Agreement for Discipline" stipulating agreed facts and proposed discipline as summarized below.
Stipulated Facts: In September 2021, pursuant to a guilty plea, Respondent was convicted in Marion County of battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, a level 6 felony. Respondent was a deputy prosecutor at the time he committed his crime, although he resigned from that position following his arrest. Respondent has no prior discipline, has been fully cooperative with the Commission, and has been engaged with the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (JLAP) and individual counseling since his arrest.
Violations: The parties agree that Respondent violated Indiana Professional Conduct Rule 8.4(b), which prohibits committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on Respondent's trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer, and Rule 8.4(d), which prohibits engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
Discipline: The Court, having considered the submission of the parties, now approves the following agreed discipline.
For Respondent's professional misconduct, the Court suspends Respondent from the practice of law for a period of 120 days, beginning January 27, 2022, with 90 days actively served and the remainder stayed subject to completion of at least one year of probation . The Court incorporates by reference the terms and conditions of probation set forth in the parties’ Conditional Agreement, which include among other things:
(1) Respondent shall continue with his current counseling and treatment as recommended by JLAP throughout both his active suspension and his probation;
(2) Respondent shall submit quarterly reports of his JLAP status, counseling, and treatment to the Commission; and
(3) Respondent shall commit no criminal or professional conduct violation, or violate any protective order, during his active suspension and probation.
Notwithstanding the expiration of the minimum term of probation set forth above, Respondent's probation shall remain in effect until it is terminated pursuant to a petition to terminate probation filed under Admission and Discipline Rule 23(16).
Having accepted the parties’ conditional agreement and approved the agreed discipline, the Court hereby DENIES as moot the Commission's "Notice of Finding of Guilt and Request for [Interim] Suspension" filed in this case.
The costs of this proceeding are assessed against Respondent.
All Justices concur.