Navigation New rule allows interim suspensions for lawyers facing felony charges
Lawyers facing felony charges will be subject to a new disciplinary rule that takes effect December 5 under amendments the Supreme Court adopted earlier this year.
Acting on its own motion June 5 in Case No. SC2025-0727, the court adopted new Rule Regulating The Florida Bar 3-5.3 (Interim Suspension), which addresses the grounds for suspension of a lawyer charged with a felony “that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s fitness to practice law.”
In its order, the Supreme Court noted that “The new rule provides a procedure for notice and an opportunity to respond before the imposition of an interim suspension based on felony charges and explains that the respondent may move to dissolve the interim suspension ‘on a change in the criminal charges or on a disposition of the felony criminal charges.’”
