In Re Stiers

The record presents two questions of law:

1. Did the State have a right to appeal from the judgment rendered?

2. Does a plea of nolo contendere constitute a “conviction or a confession in open court, State or Federal?”

The law recognizes and prescribes two methods for disbarring an attorney. Committee on Grievances of Bar Association v. Strickland, 200 N. C., 630, 158 S. E., 110. Such proceedings are in the nature of civil actions. In re Ebbs, 150 N. C., 44, 63 S. E., 190. The statutory method of disbarment is prescribed by C. S., 208 to 215 inclusive. However, the proceeding in the present…