In Re Cardwell

Jerry E. Cardwell is the respondent in this lawyer regulation proceeding. While assisting his client to plead guilty in a driving under the influence (DUI) case, Cardwell failed to disclose to the prosecutor and to the court that his client had previously been convicted of driving while ability impaired (DWAT). As a result, the trial court accepted a plea agreement, found the client guilty of the reduced offense of DWAI (first offense), and suspended the client's jail sentence. This was not a legal sentence for a defendant who has previously been convicted of DUI or DWAI. A hearing board…