In the Matter of Juan M Martinez

Summary

The court affirmed the findings that Martinez did not violate Rule 41(g) or ER 4.4(a), but vacated the dismissal of the ER 8.4(d) allegations. It held that Martinez’s repeated emotional appeals to juries and disregard of sustained objections were negligent conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, even though the underlying convictions were not reversed, and imposed a reprimand. The court also distinguished prosecutorial error that may warrant criminal-case relief from ethical misconduct warranting professional discipline.