United States Third Circuit

In a dispute involving Rule 3.5 of the ABA Model Rule of Professional Conduct, judgment of the district court sanctioning trial counsel for initiating a post-verdict contact with a juror is reversed where trial court: 1) abused its discretion in finding a Rule 3.5 violation; 2) denied counsel due process rights by not following the disciplinary procedures outlined in Local Rule 83.2(b) of the District Court of the Virgin Islands; and 3) failed to give sufficient notice and an opportunity to be heard prior to finding misconduct and imposing sanctions.

Appellate Information

• Decided 08/05/2011
• Published 08/05/2011

Judges

• McKEE

Court

• United States Third Circuit

Counsel