Automated Summary
Key Facts
The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico suspended attorney Miguel A. Montes Díaz indefinitely and immediately from practicing law and notary services for failing to comply with requirements from the Office of Notary Inspection (ODIN) and the Court. Key violations included not designating a substitute notary as required by law, owing unsubmitted notarial indexes, and neglecting to complete voluntary withdrawal procedures for his notary position. The suspension became effective on 2012-01-28, following notification on that date, and was ordered on 2011-12-21.
Issues
- The attorney failed to designate a substitute notary as mandated by Articles 9 and 48 of Puerto Rico's Notarial Law, raising concerns about the custody of his notarial records and the integrity of his practice.
- The court addressed the failure of the attorney to comply with orders from the Office of Notary Inspection (ODIN) and the Supreme Court, leading to disciplinary action. The attorney did not respond to repeated requests to complete voluntary resignation procedures for the notary office, failed to submit overdue notarial indexes, and neglected to designate a substitute notary as required by law.
- The attorney violated Article 12 of the Notarial Law by not submitting required notarial indexes for multiple years (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006), which obstructed proper oversight of his notarial duties.
Holdings
- The court held that the lawyer's failure to comply with orders to complete voluntary withdrawal from notary services, designate a substitute notary, and submit overdue notarial indexes violated Puerto Rico Notarial Law Articles 9, 48, and 12 (4 L.P.R.A. secs. 2021, 2072, 2023). This non-compliance, including ignoring communications from the Office of Notary Inspection (ODIN), constituted an affront to judicial authority and breach of ethical duty under Canon 9 of the Code of Ethics.
- The court decreed an indefinite and immediate suspension from the practice of law and notary services, requiring the lawyer to notify clients, courts, and administrative bodies of the suspension within 30 days. The bailiff was ordered to seize the notary's seal and records for investigation.
Remedies
- Decretamos la suspensión indefinida e inmediata del ejercicio de la abogacía y de la notaría al Lcdo. Miguel A. Montes Díaz por incumplir con su deber de responder oportunamente a los requerimientos de la Oficina de Inspección de Notarias (ODIN) y de este Tribunal. Además, se le impuso una sanción de $500 y se le apercibió que el incumplimiento conllevaría sanciones severas, incluyendo la separación del ejercicio de la notaría y la abogacía.
- El Alguacil de este Tribunal deberá incautar la obra y el sello notarial del señor Montes Díaz y entregar los mismos a la Directora de la Oficina de Inspección de Notarias para la correspondiente investigación e informe.
- El abogado debe notificar a todos sus clientes de su inhabilidad de seguir representándolos e informar oportunamente de su suspensión indefinida a los foros judiciales y administrativos de Puerto Rico. Además, tiene la obligación de acreditar y certificar ante este Tribunal el cumplimiento con lo anterior, dentro del término de 30 días a partir de la notificación de esta Opinión Per Curiam y Sentencia.
Legal Principles
The court emphasized that lawyers have an ineludible obligation to strictly comply with tribunal requirements. Non-compliance with disciplinary investigations and court orders constitutes an affront to judicial authority, violating ethical canons and warranting suspension from legal practice. This principle was applied to justify the indefinite suspension of Miguel A. Montes Díaz for failing to respond to multiple judicial mandates and ODIN requirements.
Precedent Name
- In re García Incera
- In re Rivera Rosado
- In re Morales Rodríguez
- In re Prieto Rivera
Cited Statute
- Ley Notarial de Puerto Rico
- Código de Ética
Passage Text
- El 31 de octubre de 2011 recibimos una comunicación de parte de la ODIN informándonos que no han recibido contestación o acción afirmativa alguna por parte del referido abogado.
- decretamos su suspensión inmediata e indefinida del ejercicio de la abogacía y de la notaría, según se le había apercibido. Le imponemos el deber de notificar a todos sus clientes de su inhabilidad de seguir representándolos e informar oportunamente de su suspensión indefinida a los foros judiciales y administrativos de Puerto Rico.
- En reiteradas ocasiones hemos expresado que todo abogado tiene la ineludible obligación de observar rigurosamente los requerimientos de este Tribunal... desatender las órdenes judiciales constituye una afrenta a la autoridad de los tribunales e infringe el Canon 9 del Código de Ética.