Disciplinary Case Summaries
| Publication year | 2023 |
| Pages | 66 |
FROM THE COURTS | OFFICE OF THE PRESIDING DISCIPLINARY JUDGE
No. 21PDJ079. Betterton-Fike v. People. 5/13/2022.
Opinion Denying Reinstatement.
Following a reinstatement hearing, a hearing board denied W. Bradley Betterton-Fike (attorney registration number 36250) reinstatement to the practice of law under CRCP 251.29.
In April 2020, Betterton-Fike was suspended for eight months with the requirement that he petition for reinstatement, if at all, under CRCP 251.29(c). Betterton-Fike was suspended because he physically assaulted his wife, which constituted criminal conduct that reflected adversely on his fitness as a lawyer. The hearing board concluded that reinstatement was not appropriate because Betterton-Fike failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that he is fit to practice law and that he has been rehabilitated from his underlying misconduct.
No. 22PDJ065. People v. Braden. 1/10/2023.
Stipulation to Discipline.
The Presiding Disciplinary Judge approved the parties' stipulation to discipline and suspended Alexander Scott Braden (attorney registration number 54616) for one year and one day. To be reinstated to the practice of law in Colorado, Braden must petition the Presiding Disciplinary Judge for reinstatement and prove by clear and convincing evidence that he has been rehabilitated from his misconduct, has complied with all disciplinary orders and rules, and is fit to practice law. The suspension was effective February 14, 2023.
On the night of February 20, 2021, Braden and his girlfriend drank heavily before returning to Braden's apartment. Once there, Braden pulled out a pistol. When Braden's girlfriend went to the bathroom to get ready for bed, she heard a gunshot that was so loud it made her ears ring. A bullet hole was later found two feet from where she had been standing.
Braden walked toward his girlfriend holding the gun. Scared and crying, she asked him why he discharged the firearm in her direction. Braden threatened to blame her for firing the gun. Because she did not feel safe in the apartment, she packed her belongings and called Denver police. While waiting for officers to arrive, Braden texted her with the message, "just kill me." Based on that text and Braden's extreme intoxication, officers transported Braden to a medical detox center. In early April 2021, Braden signed an extreme risk protection order...
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