In Re Martin

Statement of the Case and Facts

On February 9, 1977, Attorney William A. Martin (petitioner herein) appeared before the Honorable Norman S. Reid as counsel for defendant Edward S. Santos in the paternity action entitled Sally Michelle Sabala v. Edward S. Santos, Stanislaus County Superior Court No. 138150. On that date, in the immediate presence of the court and during court trial in the above action, petitioner made the following representations of fact to the court:

The above representations resulted in two short continuances from February 9, 1977, until 1 p.m., Februaiy 10, 1977, and again from February 10, 1977, until 1 p.m., February 11, 1977. The representations further resulted in the issuance of a bench warrant for Cardenaz who had previously been subpoenaed by the petitioner.

On February 11, 1977, Cardenaz was in court after having been arrested. At that time the court addressed itself to the matter of the apparent contempt of Cardenaz in failing to respond to the subpoena served upon him by petitioner. Cardenaz testified in his own behalf regarding his failure to attend the February 9th court hearing. He stated that he had advised petitioner on February 7th…