Censure For Already-Suspended Attorney

From the web page of the Colorado Presiding Disciplinary Judge

The Presiding Disciplinary Judge approved the parties’ stipulation to discipline and publicly censured Peter D. Menges (attorney registration number 28750), taking into account the fact that Menges is already required to petition for reinstatement to the practice of law as a sanction in another disciplinary case. The public censure took effect September 25, 2023.

In April 2023, a Jefferson County Sherriff’s Office investigator saw Menges driving erratically, weaving over fog lanes, abruptly changing lanes without signaling, braking late, and narrowly missing a median. Menges was slow to pull over, and once he did pull over he was slow to place the vehicle in park. Menges had trouble following the officer's directions, smelled of alcohol, appeared drowsy, and had trouble making coherent statements. He refused roadside maneuvers and a blood or breath test. Menges ultimately pleaded guilty to driving while ability impaired as a first offense and was sentenced to probation.

Through this conduct, Menges violated Colo. RPC 8.4(b) (it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects).

(MIke Frisch)