On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, the Supreme Court of Illinois suspended attorney Stephen Ray Wigginton for driving while under the influence of alcohol. The case is entitled “In the Matter of Stephen Ray Wigginton,” with case no. 2021PR00097.

The charges cited Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(b) which states:

Committing criminal acts that reflect adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness in other respects by conduct including committing the offenses of driving under the influence of alcohol.

The Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.

In a petition to impose discipline on consent, dated January 19, 2023, the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, with the consent of the respondent, petitioned the court to enter an order suspending the respondent from the practice of law for a period of one year. This is in relation to the respondent’s arrest on two occasions for driving while under the influence of alcohol.

The filing states:

“At approximately 9:00 p.m. on May 23, 2017, Respondent lost control of his vehicle on U.S. Route 40 in Troy, Illinois, and traveled approximately 100 yards off the road before crashing into and damaging a fence. Respondent was able to drive his damaged vehicle out of a ditch and back onto the road, where he left the scene of the accident A short time later, Respondent was stopped by police on Meadowbrook Street in Troy. Officers noticed that the Respondent’s speech was slurred, and they smelled a strong odor of alcohol coming from the Respondent’s breath. The Respondent’s vehicle was damaged, and a headlight was missing. Respondent refused a breath alcohol test and was subsequently placed under arrest.”

The filing continues:

“On December 26, 2019, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Respondent’s vehicle collided with another vehicle at the intersection of Route 157 and Club Centre Court in Edwardsville. After the collision, Respondent drove his vehicle to a nearby restaurant. When police arrived at the restaurant to question Respondent, they observed that he was unsteady on his feet, had bloodshot eyes, and a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. Officers attempted to administer three field sobriety tests, which Respondent either did not pass or was unable to complete. Respondent agreed to submit to a portable breath alcohol test which showed a breath alcohol content of .23, nearly three times the legal limit of .08. Respondent was then placed under arrest”.

On the first count, the respondent pled guilty to the DUI charge and the prosecution. The court sentenced the respondent to 12 months of court supervision and a fine of $1,500. In addition, the court ordered the same to attend a victim impact presentation and submit to an alcohol evaluation and treatment if recommended. On the second occasion. The court sentenced the respondent to 24 months probation, 160 hours of public service, and a $ 2,800 fine. The court also ordered the same to comply with any treatment plan ordered by the probation department and attend a victim impact panel presentation.

According to the administrator, the respondent’s conduct was repeated and occurred over a three-year period. As a former United States attorney, the respondent’s-conduct brought disrepute to the law enforcement community. In consideration of all the evidence and the petition to impose discipline with consent, the court decided to suspend the respondent.

The Disposition states:

“Petition by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission to impose discipline on consent pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 762(6). Allowed. Respondent Stephen Ray Wigginton is suspended from the practice of law for one (1) year and until further order of the Court, with the suspension stayed in its entirety by a three (3) year period of probation subject to the following conditions”

Mr. Wigginton practices in Edwardsville, Illinois. He is licensed in Illinois with license no. 6200459. His info can be found on avvo.com.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.