MATTER OF EVINGER

MATTER OF EVINGER
1979 OK 127
604 P.2d 844
Decided: 09/11/1979
Supreme Court of Oklahoma

IN THE MATTER OF JOHNNY LEE EVINGER, RESPONDENT.

Special application by Johnny Lee Evinger, respondent, to be allowed to appeal on affidavit forma pauperis without deposit of cost bond under Rule 11, 5 O.S. 1971 Ch. 1, App. 5.

APPEAL ALLOWED; RESPONDENT'S APPLICATION TO PROCEED FORMA PAUPERIS DENIED.

Larry D. Barnett, Oklahoma City, for respondent.

Annis M. Kernan, Oklahoma City, for Special Board of Bar Examiners, Oklahoma Bar Assn.

DOOLIN, Justice:

¶1 The sole question reached in this matter is the respondent's right to proceed with an appeal from the acts and orders of the Special Board of Bar Examiners of the Oklahoma Bar Association by affidavit forma pauperis. We decide that no right to proceed forma pauperis exists in the respondent.

¶2 The respondent argues his rights to appeal and review by this Court. We do not deny the respondent the guarantee of equal protection and the right to appeal. Not only the 14th and 5th amendments to the Constitution of the United States guarantee equal protection and due process but our own constitution as well. See Art. II §§ 6 & 7.

¶3 Respondent observes and urges that an affidavit forma pauperis is not only mandated in criminal cases by recent United States Supreme Court decisions but in civil cases as well.

¶4 Proceeding in disciplinary matters or matters relating to admission to the Bar are not strictly speaking civil or criminal. They partake of the elements of both. We have at least thrice, indicated that disbarment or disciplinary proceedings are civil, not criminal in nature.

¶5 In re Toft v. Ketchum, 18 N.J. 280, 113 A.2d 671, 52 A.L.R.2d 1208 opinion adhered to, 18 N.J. 611, 114 A.2d 863, 52 A.L.R.2d 1217, cert. denied 350 U.S. 887, 76 S. Ct. 141, 100 L. Ed. 782 (1955) that court held:

"A disciplinary proceeding against an attorney is not criminal in nature, but is civil in character, or, more accurately, sui generis." (Citations omitted).

¶6 We observed in State ex rel. Oklahoma Bar Association v. Trower, 381 P.2d 142, 144 (Okl. 1963):

"Membership in the bar is a privilege burdened with conditions. A fair private and professional character is one of them. Compliance with that condition is essential at the moment of admission; but it is equally essential afterwards." Citing In re Bond, 168 Okl. 161, 31 P.2d 921 (1934).

¶7 The ultimate purpose in disciplining attorneys or denial of admission is not punishment, but purification of the Bar and protection of courts and public in general.

¶8 The rationale of the prohibition against invidious discrimination in basic human, civil and criminal rights for protection of the poor, and the guarantee of a fair, speedy and thorough judicial proceeding has no carry over into Bar matters of this kind.

[604 P.2d 846]

¶9 We therefore hold respondent is not entitled to be furnished at Bar expense, a transcript or record of the trial proceedings nor is he entitled to a waiver of the necessity for cost bond under Rule 11, 5 O.S.Supp. 1978 Ch. 1, App. 5.

¶10 Petitioner's motion to proceed forma pauperis denied; petitioner granted fifteen (15) days to proceed under Rule 11.

¶11 LAVENDER, C.J., IRWIN, V.C.J., and HODGES, BARNES and HARGRAVE, JJ., concur.

¶12 WILLIAMS and SIMMS, JJ., dissent.

Footnotes:

1

Art. II § 6: COURTS OF JUSTICE OPEN - REMEDIES FOR WRONGS -

SALE, DENIAL OR DELAY.

The courts of justice of the State shall be open to every person, and speedy and certain remedy afforded for every wrong and for every injury to person, property, or reputation; and right and justice shall be administered without sale, denial, delay, or prejudice. Art. II § 7: DUE PROCESS OF LAW. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law. More particularly in Schware v. Board of Bar Examiners, 353 U.S. 232, 77 S. Ct. 752, 1 L. Ed. 2d 796 (1957) where the United States Supreme Court reversed and remanded the action of the Supreme Court of New Mexico in Schware v. Board of Bar Examiners, 60 N.M. 304, 291 P.2d 607 (1955). The State Court had denied the applicant the right to take the bar exam on the basis of past membership in subversive political organizations (Communist Party) the use of aliases and a previous arrest record. The Supreme Court held that the applicant had been denied due process under the 14th amendment to the United States Constitution and whatever probative force his past arrest may have had, had been dissipated.

2 The Oklahoma Bar is an integrated one, 5 O.S.Supp. 1978 Ch. 1, Appendices 1 & 5.

3 Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335, 83 S. Ct. 792, 9 L. Ed. 2d 799 (1962); Griffin v. Illinois, 251 U.S. 12, 76 S. Ct. 585, 100 L. Ed. 891 (1956) and Boddie v. Connecticut, 401 U.S. 371, 91 S. Ct. 780, 28 L. Ed. 2d 113 (1971).

4 In re Biggers, 24 Okl. 842, 104 P. 1083 (1909); In re Connell 79 Okl. 212, 192 P. 564 (1920) and State v. Massad, 334 P.2d 787, 791 (Okl. 1959).

5 See State v. Booth, 441 P.2d 405, 408 (Okl. 1966); Bradpiece v. State Board of Calif., 10 Cal. 3d 742, 111 Cal. Rptr. 905, 518 P.2d 337 (1974) states the purpose is not punitive but to inquire for the protection of the (1) public, (2) the Courts and (3) legal profession; Ohio State Bar Association v. Weaver, 41 Ohio St.2d 97, 322 N.E.2d 665 (1975) holds disbarment proceedings are instituted to safeguard (1) the Courts, (2) protect the public from misconduct.

6 See also State v. Booth, supra, page 407.

7 Cf. Howe v. Federal Surety Co., 161 Okl. 144, 17 P.2d 404 (1932) and Bradford v. Southern R. Co., 195 U.S. 243, 25 S. Ct. 55, 49 L. Ed. 178 (1904).