New Orleans attorney faces Disciplinary charges before Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board for driving while intoxicated

On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel filed charges against New Orleans attorney Timothy A. Meche before the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board for misconduct due to Driving while intoxicated. The case is entitled “In the matter of Timothy A. Menche,” with case no. 21-DB-064.

The charges cited Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(a)(b) which state:

Committing a criminal act, especially one that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects.

The Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.

Allegedly, in several instances, the respondent was caught and complained about driving while intoxicated, coupled with several attempts to escape the scene. 

The filing states:

“On Saturday, January 8, 2018, Pollock Police Department Officer, Amyra Allen was approached by a passer-by who advised that an older silver 4-door just left the Grant One Stop pouring mixed alcoholic drinks and was driving erratically. Officer Allen proceeded to drive behind Respondent and observed the Respondent traveling in and out of both lanes on Highway 165 and failing to signal when passing other vehicles. Officer Allen conducted a traffic stop on Highway 165 north of Highway 524. Officer Allen made contact with the Respondent and directed him to exit his vehicle. When Officer Alen came into contact with Respondent, she smelled a very strong odor of alcoholic beverage. Officer Allen instructed Respondent to stand in front of her unit while she retrieved Respondent’s information and vehicle information. Though he stated that he would stand in front of the unit, Respondent walked to the driver’s side of his vehicle. Officer Allen again directed Respondent to stand in front of her unit. Respondent agreed to do so, but Officer Allen had to assist him as he was swaying. Respondent denied having consumed any alcoholic beverages or having any alcoholic beverages in his vehicle. When Officer Allen asked if she could search his vehicle, Respondent refused to direct her to get a warrant. Officer Allen white male driving.”

The filing continues:

“On May 3, 2019, in East Baton Rouge Parish, Mr. Louis Sharon was traveling on U.S. Interstate when a black Cadillac XTS rear-ended his motor vehicle. Mr. Sharon drove his motor vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway and waited for the driver of the Cadillac to do the same. When the Cadillac continued to travel on the Interstate, Mr. Sharon followed it and dialed 911 to report the motor vehicle accident. Mr. Sharon provided to the 911 operation with a description of the Cadillac and its license plate number. The 911 operator instructed Mr. Sharon to travel to Louisiana State Police Troop A. After interviewing Mr. Sharon regarding the motor vehicle accident. At approximately 11:43 p.m., a concerned citizen called the 911 system to report that a motor vehicle was operating in a reckless manner on U.S. Interstate 12, a public highway in Louisiana. The concerned citizen provided the operator with the license plate number and described the motor vehicle as a black Cadillac XTS with severe damage to its radiator. Baton Rouge Police Department Corporal Donald Johnson and Officer David MacAuly initiated a traffic stop of a black Cadillac after seeing it being driven on U.S. Interstate 12 at Jefferson Highway. The respondent was identified as the driver of the black Cadillac. Cpl. Johnson believed the Respondent was impaired and contacted Sergeant Mickey Duncan for assistance. Officer MacAulay detained Respondent and seated Respondent in the other officer’s police unit.”

The Committee determines that a longer suspension than one year and one day is appropriate in light of the respondent’s numerous arrests, the actual and potential harm brought on by his wrongdoing, and the aggravating circumstances.

The filing concludes:

“Accordingly, the Committee recommends that Respondent be suspended from the practice of law for a period of two years. The Committee further recommends that Respondent be assessed costs and expenses of the proceeding pursuant to Rule XIX §10.1.”

As of today, Mr. Mech’s info can be found on lawyersfindlaw.com. He attended Lousiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center. Meche practices in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is licensed in Louisiana with license #19706.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.