On Wednesday, September 27, 2023, the Presiding Disciplinary Judge of the Supreme Court of Colorado approved a stipulation for reciprocal discipline and publicly censured Melanie Ann Merritt. This disciplinary action was taken in response to discipline imposed upon Merritt in Arizona, where she was admonished by the Attorney Discipline Probable Cause Committee of the Supreme Court of Arizona in April 2023.
The case is entitled “People v. Melanie Ann Merritt,” with case no. 23PDJ051.
The admonition was based on Merritt’s violations of Arizona Ethical Rules 4.2, 8.4(a), and 8.4(d) while prosecuting a minor who was represented by counsel. Merritt engaged the minor’s father in plea negotiations without the knowledge or consent of the minor’s defense counsel, constituting misconduct under C.R.C.P. 242.21.
The Disposition states:
“The Presiding Disciplinary Judge approved the parties’ stipulation to reciprocal discipline and publicly censured Melanie Ann Merritt (attorney registration number 28097), effective September 27. 2023.”
According to avvo.com, Ms. Merritt is a bankruptcy and debt attorney at Coolidge, Arizona. She acquired her law license in Colorado in 1997.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
