how to make a complaint at the bar association against a kentucky district attorney

Tips for Filing a Complaint - Kentucky Bar Association Review all of the complaint instructions included on the complaint form. Make it clear what you think the lawyer did or did not do which you believe is unethical. Explain the action the lawyer took which you think constitutes a violation of the rules.

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What is a complaint letter to the Bar Association?

A complaint letter to the bar association is the letter that is written to lodge a complaint against a lawyer. In a democracy, the lawyers are considered to be the medium of justice to the masses. However, sometimes the lawyers themselves become the cause of wrongdoing to common citizens.

How do I file a complaint against a lawyer anonymously?

You’ll have to sign the letter and include contact information for yourself as well, since most states will not allow you to make complaints anonymously. Exactly to whom you should submit your complaint varies by jurisdiction, but you can check your state’s website or call the state bar association to find out.

What happens if I file a complaint with the State Bar?

With the exception of anonymous complaints, the State Bar notifies the complainant of receipt of the complaint. An experienced State Bar attorney will review the complaint to determine if the facts are sufficient to show that an ethical violation occurred. Additional documents from the complainant may be needed to complete this evaluation.

How do I write a complaint letter about an attorney?

To write a complaint letter about an attorney, you can simply write the attorney a letter; however, if you want to take action and prepare an official complaint letter, you'll file a grievance with the state's attorney regulatory agency where your attorney is admitted to practice.

How to file a complaint against more than one attorney?

What is the Kentucky Supreme Court Rule 3.150?

Where to attach receipts to a complaint?

About this website

How do I report an attorney for wrongdoing?

In most states, you can file your complaint by mailing in a state-issued complaint form or a letter with the lawyer's name and contact information, your contact information, a description of the problem, and copies of relevant documents. In some states, you may be able to lodge your complaint over the phone or online.

How do I file a complaint with the Kentucky attorney general?

* You may request a complaint form be sent to you by calling our toll free number at 888-432-9257 and selecting option #3. Please leave your name and address and indicate whether your complaint is against a telemarketer, automobile dealer, or other type of business.

What is the most common complaint against lawyers?

Perhaps the most common kinds of complaints against lawyers involve delay or neglect. This doesn't mean that occasionally you've had to wait for a phone call to be returned. It means there has been a pattern of the lawyer's failing to respond or to take action over a period of months.

Does filing a complaint with the FTC do anything?

The FTC cannot resolve individual complaints, but it can provide information about what steps to take. The FTC says that complaints can help it and its law enforcement partners detect patterns of fraud and abuse, which may lead to investigations and stopping unfair business practices.

How do I file a complaint in Kentucky?

Call us at 1.800. 292.5566 or email [email protected].

What is the most common reason for an attorney to be disciplined?

Professional misconduct is the most common reason for attorney discipline. Lawyers can also be disciplined for conduct in their personal lives.

What is it called when a lawyer doesn't do his job?

Legal malpractice is a type of negligence in which a lawyer does harm to his or her client. Typically, this concerns lawyers acting in their own interests, lawyers breaching their contract with the client, and, one of the most common cases of legal malpractice, is when lawyers fail to act on time for clients.

How do lawyers get disciplined?

[1] Lawyers are subject to discipline when they violate or attempt to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct, knowingly assist or induce another to do so or do so through the acts of another, as when they request or instruct an agent to do so on the lawyer's behalf.

What does the Kentucky Attorney General do?

As the chief law enforcement officer for the Commonwealth, he is committed to defending the laws of the Commonwealth, protecting Kentuckians, fighting the drug epidemic, and being a voice for the voiceless, including victims of child abuse and human trafficking.

What are the 4 steps in the consumer complaint process?

4 Steps to Handling Customer ComplaintsA complaint in restaurant dialogue – Listen and pay attention. ... Empathize and apologize for the situation. ... Offer and execute a solution to the complaint in restaurant dialogue. ... Follow-up and thank your customer for their business.

How can I contact the Kentucky Attorney General?

Phone Numbers​Main​ switchboard. 502-696-5300.Main fax number. 502-564-2894.Consumer Protection switchboard. 502-696-5389.Rate Intervention switchboard. 502-696-5453.

What happens if a business does not respond to BBB complaint?

Consumer will be notified of the business response when the BBB receives it and will be asked to respond. If the business fails to respond, the consumer will be notified. Complaints are generally closed within approximately 30 calendar days from the date filed.

MAIL COMPLAINT BACK TO: (Revised 05/17) KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION OFFICE ...

mail complaint back to: (revised 05/17) kentucky bar association office of bar counsel 514 west main street frankfort ky 40601-1812

Kentucky Bar Association

About. The Kentucky Bar Association is an independent agency of the Supreme Court of Kentucky. Its authority to regulate the legal profession in Kentucky, delegated by the Kentucky Supreme Court through rules, is derived from the Kentucky Constitution.

Legal Forms - Kentucky Court of Justice

Now available: Revised legal forms due to 2022 legislation AOC-1027 AOC-1027, Verification of Compliance with CARES Act, is no longer available. Pursuant to Kentucky Supreme Court Administrative Order 2021-07, the AOC-1027 is no longer required to accompany eviction filings and has been removed from this Legal Forms page.

Login page - Kentucky Bar Association

Contact Us. Kentucky Bar Association 514 W Main St Frankfort, KY 40601 Phone: (502) 564-3795 Fax: (502) 564-3225

Rule SCR 3.130 - Kentucky Rules of Professional Conduct - Casetext

Browse Kentucky Court Rules | Rule SCR 3.130 - Kentucky Rules of Professional Conduct for free on Casetext

Kentucky Bar Association

Contact Us. Kentucky Bar Association 514 W Main St Frankfort, KY 40601 Phone: (502) 564-3795. Fax: (502) 564-3225

Can KBA staff give legal advice?

KBA staff cannot suggest what to do in your court case, or give you legal advice of any kind.

Do you need to attach a case file to an ethical rule violation?

Attach only the documentation you believe to be relevant to the ethical rule violation. It is not necessary to attach the entire case file. Attaching irrelevant documents will only slow the process.

What to do if you have a complaint against a government agency?

If your complaint is with a government agency rather than a business, contact the elected officials with authority over that agency . For example, if it is a federal agency, contact your U.S. Representative or Senator. For a local agency, contact a city or county official.

How to explain a dispute?

Describe the dispute. Explain in detail actions you have taken in good faith to resolve the complaint, and why you feel the business should not be paid.

How to contact Consumer Protection Division?

If you would like assistance in resolving a consumer complaint, please complete our Online Consumer Complaint and Mediation Request Form , or print and mail a General Consumer Mediation Form (on the right sidebar of this page), or call the Consumer Protection Division at (502) 696-5389. Complaints concerning utilities should be submitted to the Office of Rate Intervention's Utility Complaint Form.

What to do if a business does not resolve a problem?

If the business will not resolve a problem directly, consumers can file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General, the Better Business Bureau, or a small claims court. The complaint should explain in detail, with documentation, what the problem is, who it is with, what you have done and what you want. In particular, it should:

How to describe a problem?

Describe the Problem – Describe as completely as you can the problem with the product or service you have purchased. Were you told something that was untrue? Describe what you were told and how it was untrue. Is it defective? Explain what is wrong. Did the business refuse to honor a warranty? Explain what needs repair and include a photocopy of the warranty.

Do you send originals to a complaint?

Include Photocopies – Always include photocopies of documents relevant to your complaint receipts, warranties, both sides of canceled checks, contracts, etc. Do not send originals. Only send copies, except upon request of the agency to which you are making your complaint.

Does the Better Business Bureau offer mediation?

Both the Better Business Bureau and the Office of the Attorney General offer mediation services. In some cases, the bureau provides arbitration services.

What is a complaint letter to the bar association?

A complaint letter to the bar association is the letter that is written to lodge a complaint against a lawyer. In a democracy, the lawyers are considered to be the medium of justice to the masses. However, sometimes the lawyers themselves become the cause of wrongdoing to common citizens. The complaint letter to the bar association makes an appeal to the bar council to take the legally appropriate actions against the lawyers who are indulged in coning the people.

What is the role of the Bar Association?

Bar Association is the regulatory body that issues the licenses to all the practicing lawyers in a region. The authorities also have the power of revoking the practicing license of the lawyers if they conduct wrongful practices. Unfortunately in the modern judiciary system, there are numbers of lawyers who themselves delay the justice for their clients in the hope of looting them on a continuous basis.

What is the state bar council?

The State bar council is the utmost authority that regulates all the practicing lawyers within the state. Consequently, this is the authority whom you can approach with your complaint against the lawyer. Here below you can also check the sample reference of this letter.

How to write a complaint against a lawyer?

If one isn’t available, you can write a letter, which you might elect to do anyway so you have more space to clearly explain your allegations. List the facts of her transgression, attaching proof if you have any. Cite the Rule of Professional Conduct that you believe your lawyer broke. If you have witnesses, name them and give contact information for them. You’ll have to sign the letter and include contact information for yourself as well, since most states will not allow you to make complaints anonymously.

How to write a complaint letter to an attorney?

To write a complaint letter about an attorney, you can simply write the attorney a letter; however, if you want to take action and prepare an official complaint letter, you'll file a grievance with the state's attorney regulatory agency where your attorney is admitted to practice. You can set forth, in writing, everything he did that you think violated the law or the Rules of Professional Responsibility.

How to cite a lawyer who broke the rule of professional conduct?

Cite the Rule of Professional Conduct that you believe your lawyer broke. If you have witnesses, name them and give contact information for them. You’ll have to sign the letter and include contact information for yourself as well , since most states will not allow you to make complaints anonymously .

What happens if an attorney fails?

If your attorney fails you, it’s natural that you’d want to complain to someone – and you can under some circumstances.

What happens if you don't have a complaint?

If you don’t have a reasonable complaint, you’ll probably receive a letter or notice stating that the committee is not going to investigate your charge.

Where to file a complaint in New York?

Exactly to whom you should submit your complaint varies by jurisdiction, but you can check your state’s website or call the state bar association to find out. New York has grievance committees assigned to each court district, but in California, you would go to the state bar. In New Jersey, the Supreme Court’s Office of Attorney Ethics handles complaints through district ethics committees situated around the state.

Does New Jersey have a fee dispute resolution program?

Some states have fee dispute resolution programs. In New York, if your complaint is of this nature, the grievance committee will most likely send your matter to the program to resolve the dispute rather than investigate. You can also file a complaint with the program directly. New Jersey has fee arbitration committees.

What are some examples of attorney practices that violate the Rules?

Some examples of attorney practices that violates the Rules include: Failure to provide an accounting of your money or property held by the attorney. Commingling your funds with the attorney's own money. Refusing to return your file at the conclusion of the representation.

What to do if you are unsure about an attorney?

If you are unsure whether your concerns with an attorney involve professional misconduct, in most states you can call or email the disciplinary office and discuss the matter prior to submitting a written complaint. Contact information for attorney regulatory authorities, by jurisdiction:

What to do if you believe an attorney has committed professional misconduct?

If you believe an attorney has committed professional misconduct, you have the option of filing a complaint with the attorney regulatory authorities in your juris diction (links below).

What are some examples of attorney misconduct?

Some examples of attorney practices that violates the Rules include: Serious neglect of your case. Failure to provide an accounting of your money ...

What documents are required to file a complaint?

Copies of any documents or records that support your complaint, such as fee agreements, receipts, letters and court papers.

How long does it take to get a response from a lawyer?

Typically, the lawyer will send a response within two to four weeks. We may send a copy of the lawyer’s response to you for comment. Thereafter, we may seek additional information and documents from you, from the lawyer, from other witnesses, or from entities with pertinent information, such as banks or insurance companies.

Why are disciplinary investigations closed?

Many investigations are closed because there is insufficient evidence to establish misconduct by the lawyer warranting professional disciplinary sanctions. Investigations may also be closed when the evidence shows that the problem or dispute that caused the complaint has been resolved, or when the lawyer has agreed to complete a remedial or educational program or activity to address concerns identified during the investigation. Frequently, our closure decisions are based on multiple considerations, including our interpretation of applicable rules of professional conduct, our analysis of available information and evidence, our assessment of potential harm to the public, and our judgment on the appropriate use of ARDC resources.

What is the rule of 775?

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 775 provides that any person who communicates to the ARDC a complaint concerning a lawyer or allegations concerning the unauthorized practice of law, shall be immune from civil liability which might result from the communication. This immunity, however, applies only to communications made to ARDC employees and board members.

How long does it take to get an ARDC investigation completed?

Most ARDC investigations are concluded within 90 days of our receipt of a complaint, but some investigations may take a significantly longer period of time to be completed.

What is the propriety of a lawyer's fee?

The propriety of a lawyer’s fee depends both on the agreement between the lawyer and the client, and on certain limitations under the ethics rules. We may initiate an investigation into a lawyer’s fee if the fee charged or the fee agreement is improper under the ethics rules, violates a court order or statute, is fraudulent, or results in the lawyer keeping a fee paid in advance that was not earned. Many fee-related complaints, however, stem from general dissatisfaction with the amount of fees charged for legal services that may not have achieved the client’s legal objectives. These situations ordinarily do not provide a basis for possible disciplinary charges. Where such fee disputes cannot be resolved informally between the lawyer and client, they may be resolved through court action. Additionally, some bar associations in Illinois provide voluntary fee arbitration services. The following is a list of some of the Illinois bar associations that provide fee arbitration services for lawyers and clients in their areas:

What happens if a lawyer takes money from you?

If the ARDC’s investigation shows that your lawyer wrongfully took money or property from you, and if this is proven in a formal disciplinary case against the lawyer, the discipline imposed may include a requirement that the lawyer make restitution to you. Also, the ARDC’s Client Protection Program may reimburse all or part of a loss caused by a lawyer’s wrongful taking of money or property if the lawyer has been disciplined or is deceased.

Where to pursue fee disputes?

Fee disputes are not normally handled within the attorney disciplinary process. Individuals should pursue fee disputes with the Bar association in the county where the attorney practices.

What is efficient disposition of a complaint?

An efficient disposition of your complaint, being mindful of the complexity of the matter, cooperation of all parties, and availability of documents, among other things, which may affect the duration of the investigation; and. To receive official notification of the disposition of your complaint.

What is an ODC investigation?

A fair and impartial investigation perform ed by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC), wherein staff may communicate with you, the attorney, and in some cases, other parties, to obtain information;

What is the rule 209?

Enforcement Rule 209 (a) provides that any person who communicates with Disciplinary Counsel or the Board relating to misconduct by a respondent-attorney or gives testimony before a hearing committee or special master in a proceeding conducted pursuant to the Enforcement Rules, shall be immune from civil suit based upon such communication or testimony.

Do you have to file a complaint with the disciplinary board?

A written and signed statement of the facts must be filed with the Disciplinary Board before your complaint can be considered. Therefore, please fully and completely set forth all of the facts and circumstances of your complaint below in the text box. Please be specific, referring to relevant dates, contacts you made with the attorney, the fee arrangement, amounts paid to the attorney and when, services to be performed, the names and addresses of other individuals involved in the legal matter, exactly what conduct you believe is unethical or illegal, etc.

Who handles complaints about unethical attorney conduct?

The State Bar’s Office of Chief Trial Counsel handles complaints about unethical attorney conduct from several different sources, including clients, family and friends of clients, courts, opposing counsel, members of the public or other third parties, and anonymous submissions.

What does the state bar refer to when a criminal is suspected?

If criminal conduct is suspected, the State Bar may also refer the matter to a law enforcement agency for investigation and potential prosecution.

What is an ALD in the state bar?

The State Bar could also issue an Agreement in Lieu of Discipline (ALD), in which the lawyer agrees to take corrective action. Neither a warning nor an ALD are considered discipline. If the State Bar decides to file charges against the lawyer, the case will go to the independent State Bar Court and will become public, ...

How to recover money from a lawyer?

If you lost money or property because a lawyer did something dishonest, you may be able to recover it by filing an application with the Client Security Fund. But first you need to file a complaint against the attorney.

What happens if the review determines that the alleged facts establish a violation?

If the review determines that the alleged facts establish a violation, the matter will be investigated. Complaints and investigations are confidential. If, after investigation, the evidence does not establish a serious violation, the State Bar may issue a warning to the lawyer.

Does the State Bar notify the complainant of receipt of a complaint?

With the exception of anonymous complaints, the State Bar notifies the complainant of receipt of the complaint. An experienced State Bar attorney will review the complaint to determine if the facts are sufficient to show that an ethical violation occurred. Additional documents from the complainant may be needed to complete this evaluation.

How to file a complaint against more than one attorney?

If you have a complaint against more than one attorney, use a SEPARATE complaint form for each attorney, with the details and relevant exhibits attached to each separate complaint. If you are filing more than one complaint, do not combine your complaint details or your exhibits into one document, or make a specific comment about a complaint filed ...

What is the Kentucky Supreme Court Rule 3.150?

Kentucky Supreme Court Rule 3.150 provides that this matter is confidential at this stage of the proceedings, until the Inquiry Commission or its Chair has acted.

Where to attach receipts to a complaint?

Attach COPIES of any receipts, contracts, or other documents which are important to the complaint , to the back of each individual complaint. Keep your own original documents.