1. Nature of Proceedings. Proceedings before the Committee on Character and Fitness are neither civil nor criminal, but are sui generis. Proceedings shall be styled as follows:

2. Representation by Counsel; Duties of Bar Counsel.

3. Depositions and Subpoenas. All of the rules of civil procedure authorizing, relating to and governing depositions in civil proceedings within and outside the state are applicable to depositions in connection with investigations and hearings. The Committee's representative and the applicant will be entitled to have subpoenas (including duces tecum) issued by the Chair of the Committee for discovery purposes, or to require the attendance of witnesses at a deposition, hearing, and any continuance thereof. The party seeking a subpoena must file the application with the Chair of the Committee with a brief statement of the reasons for the subpoena. Subpoenas will not be issued for informal inquiries.

4. Dispositional Alternatives. The Committee's investigation, informal inquiry, or hearings may result in the following range of dispositional alternatives:

1. Relevant Traits and Characteristics. An applicant shall demonstrate current and past possession of the following traits and characteristics; a significant deficiency in one or more of these traits and characteristics in an applicant may constitute a basis for denial of admission:

2. Conviction of a Crime and other Conduct.

3. Other Relevant Conduct. The revelation or discovery of any of the following should be treated as cause for further detailed investigation by the Committee on Character and Fitness prior to its determination whether the applicant exhibits current and past possession of the traits and characteristics evidencing the requisite character and fitness to practice law:

4. Evaluation of Criminal History and Other Relevant Conduct. The Committee on Character and Fitness shall determine whether the character and fitness of an applicant qualifies the applicant for admission. In making this determination, the following factors shall be considered in assigning weight and significance to an applicant's prior conduct:

1. The Manager of Attorney Admissions or that person's designee will conduct a complete preliminary review of the applications based on the categories of criminal convictions and other relevant conduct listed in paragraphs (b)(2) and (3).

2. Direct Recommendation. The Manager of Attorney Admissions or that person's designee will review all applications for information about the ethical or moral fitness of each applicant. The Manager or designee must inform the Committee and certify to the Court the names of those applicants who, without further investigation, appear to be qualified for admission. Those applicants not certified by the Manager will be referred to the Committee for further review.

3. Additional Recommendations. The Manager of Attorney Admissions or that person's designee may recommend that a matter proceed to an informal inquiry pursuant to paragraph (e) or a hearing pursuant to paragraph (f). The Chair has discretion to order that the matter proceed accordingly.

1. Upon completion of the preliminary review, if it is determined that there is conduct that falls within one or more of the categories listed in paragraphs (b)(2) and (3), a committee member (the “investigating member”) will be designated to investigate as appropriate and evaluate whether, and to what extent, the applicant's prior criminal conviction(s) or other conduct should prevent the applicant's admission.

2. In the event the investigating member requires additional information or documentation to facilitate making a determination of the applicant's character and fitness, the member may make an inquiry, either orally or in writing, to the applicant or any other person, for additional information or documentation, and may utilize the subpoena and deposition powers as set forth in paragraph (a)(3).

3. After the necessary investigation, the investigating member must either (i) terminate the investigation and recommend the applicant for admission; (ii) call for an informal inquiry pursuant to paragraph (e); or (iii) request that the Chair call for a hearing pursuant to paragraph (f), which request the Chair may grant or deny.

4. Notwithstanding the above provisions, an applicant must not be recommended for admission without at least an informal inquiry pursuant to paragraph (e) in any cases in which the investigation reveals and the investigating member determines that there are allegations of serious misconduct by the applicant, whether or not such conduct resulted in a criminal conviction, that involve:

1. Notice. Oral or written notice must be provided to the applicant, which notice must advise the applicant generally of the subject, or subjects, of the informal inquiry and the time and place thereof.

2. Informal Inquiry Panel. An informal inquiry panel must consist of three members of the Committee, including at least one attorney member and one public member, assigned by Committee staff on a rotating basis. The three members may attend the informal inquiry either in person or virtually via electronic means. An informal inquiry panel will act for and on behalf of the Committee for all actions and decisions related to informal inquiries. The investigating member may participate in discussion with and questioning of the applicant during the informal inquiry but must not be part of the three-person panel and must not deliberate or vote at the conclusion.

3. Consideration of Documents or Information. Documents or other information provided to the investigating member in confidence will remain confidential and may be referenced, shared or considered at the informal inquiry only if the providing party agrees. Absent such agreement, confidential information must not be referenced, shared or considered at the informal inquiry or otherwise considered by the panel in determining the applicant's character and fitness for admission to practice law. Because the objective of the informal inquiry is to informally resolve the investigating member's concerns efficiently, there is no formal introduction of exhibits or other evidence into a record at an informal inquiry. Neither the panel nor the applicant may subpoena the appearance of witnesses at an informal inquiry.

4. Concurrence of Panel Members. A recommendation of admission requires the concurrence of all members of the inquiry panel. If this requirement is not met, a hearing must be held pursuant to paragraph (f).

5. Decision. The inquiry panel's decision must be in writing.

1. Notice. Written notice of such hearing must be given to the applicant, specifying:

2. Conduct of Hearings.

3. Permissible Evidence. Documents or other information provided to the Committee in confidence will remain confidential and may be used at the hearing only if the providing party agrees. Absent such agreement, confidential information must not be presented at the hearing or otherwise considered by the panel in determining the applicant's character and fitness for admission to practice law.

4. Disclosure; Discovery. Twenty (20) days before the hearing, or otherwise as agreed by the parties, the Committee and the applicant will simultaneously disclose documents and other information to be used at the hearing. The Committee need not provide to the applicant copies of documents the applicant has submitted during the application process, and applicant need not provide to the Committee copies of documents submitted with the application. Confidential information will be subject to disclosure or discovery only if the providing party has agreed to its use at the hearing as set forth in paragraph (f)(3). The Chair may permit untimely disclosed information to be admitted at hearing, for good cause shown.

5. Decision. The hearing panel's recommendation requires the concurrence of a majority of the panel members. The panel's final decision must be in writing.

6. Notice to Applicant. The hearing panel's final decision must be mailed to the applicant at the applicant's last known address, and a copy must be mailed to the applicant's attorney of record, if applicable.

7. Denial of Admission as Final Decision. The decision of the Committee to deny admission is final, absent the filing of a petition for review by the applicant pursuant to paragraph (h)(1) of this rule.

1. Eligibility for Conditional Admission. An applicant who has engaged in conduct that could have previously rendered him or her unfit to practice law may be conditionally admitted if the applicant shows meaningful and sustained rehabilitation and otherwise satisfies the eligibility requirements for admission, including fitness requirements and good moral character. Applicants for admission on motion are not eligible for conditional admission.

2. Conditional status. An applicant's admission to the practice of law pursuant to this paragraph is conditioned on his or her compliance with the terms of the conditional admission order. At the end of the period of conditional admission, the conditional admittee will achieve regular admission only after he or she demonstrates compliance with the terms of the conditional admission order.

3. Terms of Conditional Admission. The Committee, through the assigned panel, may recommend to the Court that an applicant's admission be conditioned on the applicant's complying with conditions that are designed to detect behavior that could render the applicant unfit to practice law and to protect clients and the public. The terms of conditional admission must be attached to the Committee's decision recommending conditional admission. The terms of conditional admission will always include the length of the conditional admission and a prohibition against the violation of any criminal laws and the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct.

4. Review by Court. The recommendation for conditional admission and the terms of conditional admission will be transmitted to the Court for review as provided in paragraph (h)(2). If the Court declines review or otherwise approves the recommendation, the panel will issue an Order of Conditional Admission. The Order of Conditional Admission must include the terms of conditional admission.

5. Compliance with Order of Conditional Admission. Bar counsel will monitor and supervise the conditional admittee during the period of conditional admission. The conditional admittee will be responsible for the direct costs of monitoring and supervision. At least quarterly, bar counsel must provide the Committee and staff with a status report on each conditional admittee regarding the admittee's compliance with the terms. Bar counsel must promptly report any violations to staff and solicit their input as to whether a violation is material. If bar counsel determines that the conditional admittee has materially violated the terms of the Order of Conditional Admission, bar counsel will initiate proceedings with the Committee pursuant to paragraph (g)(6).

6. Violation of Order of Conditional Admission. Upon determining that the conditional admittee has materially violated the terms of the conditional admission, bar counsel must file a notice of violation with the Committee and serve a copy on the conditional admittee. The filing of a notice of violation will automatically extend the conditional admission until the matter is resolved by the Committee. As soon as practicable, the Committee must hold a hearing to determine if the order has been violated. The Committee chair, by order, shall establish the procedures associated with such hearing. The hearing panel for the violation hearing will consist of at least a majority of the current members of the Committee. The Chair or his or her designee will preside over the hearing. Bar counsel must prove a material violation by a preponderance of the evidence. The Committee's decision will require a concurrence of a majority of the panel members. If the Committee determines that a material violation has been proved, the Committee may revoke, extend, or modify the Order of Conditional Admission. The Committee's decision is final subject to the filing of a petition for review pursuant to paragraph (h). If the Committee determines that there was a material violation of the terms based on a violation of the ethical rules but did not revoke the Order of Conditional Admission, the Committee may refer the matter to the State Bar for discipline proceedings pursuant to Rule 55.

7. Conversion to Regular Admission. It is the conditional admittee's responsibility to demonstrate compliance with the Order of Conditional Admission in order to convert to regular admission. No sooner than sixty (60) days prior to the conclusion of the term of conditional admission, the conditional admittee must file with the Committee a Notice of Compliance with Order of Conditional Admission and serve a copy on bar counsel. The conditional admittee must demonstrate compliance by a preponderance of the evidence. Within twenty (20) days after service of the notice of compliance, bar counsel must file a response. If bar counsel agrees that the conditional admittee has demonstrated compliance and should achieve regular admission, the matter can be submitted to the Committee for consideration. If bar counsel or staff does not agree that regular admission is appropriate, the matter must be set for hearing before the Committee, as provided in paragraph (g)(6). Bar counsel's or staff's objection to regular admission will automatically extend the conditional admission until the matter is resolved by the Committee. Failure of the conditional admittee to fulfill the terms of the Order of Conditional Admission may result in a modification of the order which may include extension of the period of conditional admission, suspension or revocation of the conditional admission, or such other action as the Committee deems appropriate. If the conditional admittee fails to file the notice of compliance, the Order of Conditional Admission will be revoked at the end of the period of conditional admission. In all cases, the Committee will issue an appropriate order. The Committee's decision is final subject to the filing of a petition for review pursuant to paragraph (h).

8. Effect of Revocation on Time for Reapplication. If the conditional admission is revoked, an applicant may not reapply for admission for a period of five years from the date of the revocation, unless the Committee or Court orders otherwise.

1. Petition for Review.

2. Review on Court's Own Motion. All recommendations for conditional admission are subject to de novo review by the Court. The Committee on Character and Fitness, through the assigned panel, must file with the clerk its written decision recommending conditional admission and the terms of conditional admission. The Court may decline review, or it may grant review on its own motion. If the Court declines review, the panel's recommendation for conditional admission will be final and the panel will issue the Order of Conditional Admission. If the Court grants review, the Court may issue such orders as may be appropriate for its review, including remanding the matter to the Committee for further action, ordering transmittal of the applicant's file, ordering additional briefing and/or setting the matter for oral argument. After receiving all the appropriate pleadings and record, the matter will be deemed submitted to the Court for its decision.

3. Sealing the Record. Any document filed under Rule 36(h) will be considered open to the public except that, upon request by any party or the panel, the clerk of Court will seal medical or psychological reports and records. A party or the panel may request that the Court seal a portion of any other materials submitted.