On September 21, 2022, the Supreme Court of California, suspended Pomona Attorney Walter Munoz for his misdemeanor conviction.

The case titled In the Matter of Walter Munoz was brought by The State Bar of California, Office of Chief Trial Counsel, case no. SBC-22-C-30101-CV.

On April 1, 2022, Respondent, through counsel, filed his Answer to the State Bar Court of California, stating:

“1. Respondent admits that he was convicted of violating Penal Code § 273.5(a), inflicting corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition upon a victim, a misdemeanor.

2. Respondent denied that the facts and circumstances surrounding his misdemeanor conviction involves moral turpitude, dishonesty, or other misconduct warranting professional discipline. The acts underlying the conviction have no relation to the practice of law or the judicial system. It did not involve egregious conduct and there is no public protection issue presented.

3. Respondent reserves the right to present additional defenses in response to assertions and allegations which may be made by the Office of the Chief Trial Counsel.

Respondent’s affirmative defense is that the Notice of Hearing on Conviction does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action and that despite a prior DUI conviction in recent years, respondent’s second DUI conviction involving 0.26 blood alcohol content level and a rear-end collision with another car did not warrant the imposition of any discipline, and the disciplinary proceeding was dismissed.

Accordingly, Cantil Sakauye, Chef Justice of the Supreme Court of California, ruled for the suspension of Munoz.

The Order states:

“The court orders that Walter Munoz (Respondent), State Bar Number 223955, is suspended from the practice of law in California for one year, execution of that period of suspension is stayed, and Respondent is placed on probation for two years subject to the following conditions:

    1. Respondent must comply with the other conditions of probation recommended by the Hearing Department of the State Bar Court in its Order Approving Stipulation filed on June 21, 2022; and
    2. At the expiration of the period of probation, if Respondent has complied with the terms of probation, the period of stayed suspension will be satisfied and that suspension will be terminated.”

Respondent must also take and pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination and provide proof to the State Bar’s Office of Probation. Costs were awarded to the State Bar.

Mr. Munoz practices as a public defender in Los Angeles County, California. He has been licensed in California. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. His info can be found on The State Bar of California.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.