Libby Disbarred

As we had predicted, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals entered an order today disbarring Scooter Libby. Because his appeal from the criminal conviction had been dismissed, "this disciplinary matter is ripe for final action." Disbarment is the only sanction the court may impose when a member of the Bar is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude per D.C. Code section 11-2503(a) as interpreted by the court in In re Colson. Libby's convictions for obstruction of justice and perjury involved moral turpitude per se. Thus, disbarment is imposed without any evidentiary hearing. (Mike Frisch)