Office of the Presiding Disciplinary Judge

People v. Merritt.

No. 23PDJ051. 9/27/2023. Reciprocal Discipline.

December 4, 2023

The Presiding Disciplinary Judge approved the parties’ stipulation to reciprocal discipline and publicly censured Melanie Ann Merritt (attorney registration number 28097), effective September 27, 2023.

This reciprocal discipline case arose out of discipline imposed upon Merritt in Arizona. In April 2023, the Attorney Discipline Probable Cause Committee of the Supreme Court of Arizona issued an order admonishing, or publicly censuring, Merritt. The admonition, which also carries a one-year probation, is based on Merritt’s violations of Arizona Ethical Rules 4.2, 8.4(a), and 8.4(d). The Arizona order imposing the admonition states that while prosecuting a minor who was represented by counsel, Merritt engaged the minor’s father in plea negotiations Merritt knew would reach the minor, without defense counsel’s knowledge or consent.

Through this conduct, Merritt engaged in misconduct constituting grounds for discipline under CRCP 242.21.

Official Office of the Presiding Disciplinary Judge proceedings can be found at the Office of the Presiding Disciplinary Judge website.

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