In re Coffey

Section 518 of the Penal Code reads: “Extortion is the obtaining of property from another with his consent induced by a wrongful use of force or fear, or under color *523 of official right.” Section 524 provides: “Every person who unsuccessfully attempts, hy means of any verbal threat, such as is specified in section 519, to extort money or other property from another, is guilty of a misdemeanor.” Section 287 of the Code of Civil Procedure declares: “An attorney and counselor may be removed or suspended by the supreme court or any department thereof, or by any superior court of the state, for either of the following causes arising after his admission to practice: 1. His conviction of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, in which case the record of conviction shall be conclusive evidence.”

John J. Coffey, an attorney of this court, has been convicted of the offense of attempted extortion as outlined by the aforesaid section 524. A certified copy of the record of his conviction was placed before this court, and, upon an order to show cause why he (Coffey) should not be removed as an attorney and counselor at law, he made answer as follows: 1. A certified copy of the…