Rule ELPOC 9.1 - STIPULATIONS(a)Requirements. Any disciplinary matter or proceeding may be resolved by a stipulation at any time. The stipulation must be signed by the respondent LPO and approved by disciplinary counsel or the Clerk. The stipulation may impose terms and conditions of probation and contain any other appropriate provisions.(b)Form. A stipulation must: (1) provide sufficient detail regarding the particular acts or omissions of the respondent to permit the Board or hearing officer to form an opinion as to the propriety of the proposed resolution, and, if approved, to make the stipulation useful in any subsequent disciplinary proceeding against the respondent;(2) set forth the respondent's prior disciplinary record or its absence;(3) state that the stipulation is not binding on the Association as a statement of facts about the respondent's conduct, and that additional facts may be proved in a subsequent disciplinary proceeding; and(4) fix the amount of costs and expenses to be paid by the respondent.(c)Approval.(1)By Hearing Officer. A hearing officer or panel may approve a stipulation disposing of a matter pending before the officer or panel, unless the stipulation requires the respondent's license suspension or revocation. This approval constitutes a final decision and is not subject to further review.(2)By Board. All other stipulations must be presented to the Board. The Board reviews a stipulation based solely on the record agreed to by the respondent LPO and disciplinary counsel or the Clerk. All parties to the stipulation may jointly ask the Chair to permit them to address the Board regarding a stipulation. Such presentations are at the Chair's discretion. The Board may approve, conditionally approve, or reject a stipulation. Regardless of the provisions of rule 3.3(a), the Board may direct that information or documents considered in reviewing a stipulation be kept confidential.(d)Conditional Approval. The Board may condition its approval of a stipulation on the agreement by the respondent and disciplinary counsel or the clerk to a different disciplinary action, probation, restitution, or other terms the Board deems necessary to accomplish the purposes of LPO discipline. If the Board conditions approval of a stipulation, the stipulation as conditioned is deemed approved if, within 14 days of service of the order, or within additional time granted by the Chair, all parties to the stipulation serve on the Clerk written consent to the conditional terms in the Board's order.(e)Reconsideration. Within 14 days of service of an order rejecting or conditionally approving a stipulation, all parties to the stipulation may serve on the Clerk a joint motion for reconsideration and may ask to address the Board on the motion.(f)Stipulation Rejected. The Board's order rejecting a stipulation must state the reasons for the rejection. A rejected stipulation has no force or effect and neither it nor the fact of its execution is admissible in evidence in any disciplinary, civil, or criminal proceeding.(g)Failure To Comply. A respondent's failure to comply with the terms of an approved stipulation may be grounds for discipline.Wash. Admi. And. Prac. R. ELPOC 9.1
Adopted effective 1/1/2009.