Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure Back to Outline
(Tex. R. Disciplinary P., reprinted in Tex. Govt Code Ann,. tit. 2, subtit. G app. (Vernon Supp. 1995)
II THE DISTRICT GRIEVANCE COMMITTEES 2.10 Classification of Grievances
The Chief Disciplinary Counsel shall within thirty days examine each Grievance received to determine whether it constitutes an Inquiry, a Complaint, or a Discretionary Referral.
A. If the Grievance is determined to constitute an Inquiry, the Chief Disciplinary Counsel shall notify the Complainant and Respondent of the dismissal. The Complainant may, within thirty days from notification of the dismissal, appeal the determination to the Board of Disciplinary Appeals. If the Board of Disciplinary Appeals affirms the classification as an Inquiry, the Complainant will be so notified and may within twenty days amend the Grievance one time only by providing new or additional evidence. The Complainant may appeal a decision by the Chief Disciplinary Counsel to dismiss the amended Complaint as an Inquiry to the Board of Disciplinary Appeals. No further amendments or appeals will be accepted.
B. If the Grievance is determined to constitute a Complaint, the Respondent shall be provided a copy of the Complaint with notice to respond, in writing, to the allegations of the Complaint. The notice shall advise the Respondent that the Chief Disciplinary Counsel may provide appropriate information, including the Respondent’s response, to law enforcement agencies as permitted by Rule 6.08. The Respondent shall deliver the response to both the Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel and the Complainant within thirty days after receipt of the notice.
C. If the Grievance is determined to be a Discretionary Referral, the Chief Disciplinary Counsel will notify the Complainant and the Respondent of the referral to the State Bar’s Client Attorney Assistance Program (CAAP). No later than sixty days after the Grievance is referred, CAAP will notify the Chief Disciplinary Counsel of the outcome of the referral. The Chief Disciplinary Counsel must, within fifteen days of notification from CAAP, determine whether
the Grievance should be dismissed as an Inquiry or proceed as a Complaint. The Chief Disciplinary Counsel and CAAP may share confidential information for all Grievances classified as Discretionary Referrals.
Bluebook Citation
Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure. § 2.10, (Texas Center for Legal Ethics, 2024) from https://legalethicstexas.com/resources/rules/texas-rules-of-disciplinary-procedure/classification-of-grievances/ (last visited Sep 19, 2024)