On Monday, August 7, 2023, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court announced that the Court issued an order approving the reinstatement of attorney Kayla Alves.

The case is entitled “In the matter of Kayla Alves” with case no. 23-10.

On November 21, 2022, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court suspended Alves for violating her responsibilities to the public and her profession by knowingly tampering with evidence during a criminal investigation. This behavior constituted criminal conduct and was especially concerning given her role as an assistant district attorney.

The report states:

“Here, Alves deleted text messages which were evidence relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation. She was not charged with the substantive crimes which were the subject of that investigation, however, and she has no prior disciplinary history. Importantly, she also was not responsible as an assistant district attorney for the matter under investigation. Her conduct does not rise to the level of the conduct set forth in Standard 5.11, and, therefore, suspension is generally appropriate.”

The report continues:

“After consideration of all the factors set forth above and the circumstances of this case, it is ORDERED that Kayla M. Alves is suspended from the practice of law for nine months, effective November 7, 2022.”

Following her suspension, on April 14, 2023, Alves filed a petition for reinstatement to the Maine Bar. Attached to the said petition was a completed reinstatement questionnaire outlining that she has satisfied each of the reinstatement criteria specified by the rules.

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court approved the petition and ordered the reinstatement of Alves.

The Order approving reinstatement states:

“I have carefully reviewed the Reinstatement Questionnaire. Based on my review, I conclude that Alves has satisfied all of the applicable criteria. In particular, I find that Alves has the requisite honesty and integrity to practice law in this State.”

Ms. Alves was a former assistant district attorney in Franklin County, Maine. She practices in Portland, Maine. She is licensed in Maine. Her info can be found on Avvo.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.