In re Coats
In re Coats
Opinion of the Court
This disciplinary matter is before the Court pursuant to the report and recommendation of a special master who was appointed pursuant to Bar Rule 4-106 (a) to recommend the appropriate discipline for Respondent Darrin Shane Coats’ violations of Rule 8.4 of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct as set out in Bar Rule 4-102 (d). Because Coats, though properly served, has not responded to the allegations nor made an appearance in these proceedings, we accept the report and recommendation which found that Coats, who has been a member of the State Bar of Georgia since 2003, pled guilty in the Superior Court of Houston County to one count each of sexual battery, interference with child custody, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Each of the former two counts is a “felony” under Rule 8.4 (a) (2). Therefore, the convictions on those counts constitute violations of Rule 8.4 of Bar Rule 4-102 (d). Because the maximum penalty for a violation of Rule 8.4 (a) (2) is disbarment and because we find no mitigating circumstances that would dictate a
Disbarred.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- IN THE MATTER OF DARRIN SHANE COATS
- Status
- Published