Justices accept Richmond public defender’s resignation

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A Richmond attorney is no longer practicing law in the Hoosier state now that the Indiana Supreme Court has accepted his resignation.

On Tuesday, the resignation of attorney Patrick R. Ragains was accepted by the high court in In the Matter of: Patrick R. Ragains, 19S-DI-624. The order acknowledged that there was a pending disciplinary commission investigation or proceeding involving alleged misconduct against Ragains that he could not successfully defend himself against. Ragains’ resignation was accepted effective immediately, thus ordering any attorney disciplinary proceedings pending against him to be dismissed as moot.

Ragains, a Wayne County public defender, was ordered in September to show cause why he should not be suspended from the practice of law in for failing to cooperate with the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission’s investigation of a grievance against him when he failed to submit written responses to pending allegations of professional misconduct. However, the commission successfully moved to dismiss that proceeding as moot one week later.

The order does not specify the nature of the alleged misconduct against Ragains, who was admitted to the practice of law in Indiana in 1989 and had no prior discipline, according to the Indiana Roll of Attorneys.

Ragains can petition for reinstatement after five years, with any allegations of misconduct potentially up for consideration in the reinstatement process. In order to be reinstated, he must prove his remorse, rehabilitation and fitness to practice law. The costs of the proceeding are assessed against him.

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