On Friday, August 4, 2023, the Board of Professional Conduct of the Supreme Court of Ohio recommended the suspension of attorney Christopher Mark Alexander for failing to comply with a police officer’s order after a high-speed chase.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Christopher Mark Alexander,” and was bought by the Disciplinary Counsel with case no. 2022-003.
The charges cited Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct Rules 8.4(b) which state:
A lawyer shall not commit an illegal act that reflects adversely upon the lawyer’s honesty or trustworthiness.
According to the filing, Alexander was pulled over by a police officer for driving after consuming alcohol with friends. As the officer exited their vehicle to approach Alexander’s car, Alexander accelerated away. This led to a high-speed chase, with speeds reaching up to 100 miles per hour. Alexander was formally charged with two felony counts. Subsequently, they were found guilty of one count, specifically a third-degree felony, while being acquitted on the second count.
Following the incident, Alexander began closing his law practice in anticipation of a temporary suspension of his law license. During the trial, he admitted that he was indeed the driver of the vehicle. On December 12, 2022, the court found Alexander guilty of failing to comply with an order or signal of a police officer and causing a substantial risk of serious physical harm to persons and property.
On January 5, 2023, the Supreme Court of Ohio suspended Alexander on an interim basis. Ultimately, Alexander was sentenced to three years of community control, including a driver’s license suspension and completion of a substance abuse program.
The filing states:
“On January 6, 2023, the court sentenced Respondent to three years of community control and a three-year driver’s license suspension. Accordingly, Respondent’s court-ordered community control continues until January 2026. Hearing Tr. 79. In addition, the court ordered that he successfully complete the Standard Outpatient Program at GIFTS and comply with his chemical dependency contract with OLAP.”
The panel recommended that Alexander be suspended from the practice of law for one year, fully stayed, subject to the conditions of his compliance with the terms of the community control, completion of substance abuse treatment, compliance with the OLAP contract, and provided he commits no further misconduct. The board considered this matter and adopted the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations of the hearing panel.
The recommendation states:
“Pursuant to Gov. Bar R. V, Section 12, the Board of Professional Conduct considered this matter on August 4, 2023. The Board voted to adopt findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations of the hearing panel and recommends that Respondent, Christopher Mark Alexander, be eligible to apply for reinstatement from the interim felony suspension imposed on January S, 2023 upon issuance of the final disciplinary order in this case. The Board further recommends that upon reinstatement and registration for active status pursuant to Gov. Bar R. VI.”
