W. Va. R. Law. Disci. Proc. 3.4

As amended through January 31, 2024
Rule 3.4 - Prehearing Discovery and Time and place of hearing

Within 20 days from the date of service of the Statement of Charges, or at least 60 days prior to the date of the scheduled hearing, whichever is sooner, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel shall (a) provide the respondent with the complete identity, address and telephone number of any person with knowledge about the facts of any of the charges; provide a copy of any statements of any such person in the possession or under the control of Disciplinary Counsel or which can be reasonably obtained by Disciplinary Counsel; provide a list of the proposed witnesses to be called at the hearing, including their addresses, telephone numbers, and a summary of their anticipated testimony; provide a disclosure of any trial expert pursuant to the requirements of Rule 26(b)(4) of the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure; provide inspection and copying of the results of any reports of physical or mental examinations or scientific tests or experiments; and provide a list and copy of any proposed exhibit to be used at the hearing. Disciplinary Counsel shall not be required to furnish or produce any material which would contain opinion work product information or which would be violative of the attorney/client privilege between the Office of Disciplinary and the Investigative Panel; and (b) Disciplinary Counsel shall be required to disclose any exculpatory evidence within 20 days from the date of service of the Statement of Charges, with a continuing duty to do so throughout the disciplinary process, which information would in any way bear on the issue of the charges or the recommended discipline. Any documents or information not disclosed by Disciplinary Counsel under a claim of privilege shall be listed and sufficiently described so that the opposing party can determine whether to contest such claim of privilege.

Within 30 days after receiving Disciplinary counsel's mandatory discovery, the respondent shall provide the Office of Disciplinary Counsel with the complete identity, address and telephone number of any person with knowledge about the facts of any of the charges; provide a list of the proposed witnesses to be called at the hearing, including their addresses, telephone numbers, and a summary of their anticipated testimony; provide a disclosure of any trial expert pursuant to the requirements of Rule 26(b)(4) of the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure; provide inspection and copying of the results of any reports of physical or mental examinations or scientific tests or experiments; and provide a list and copy of any proposed exhibit to be used at the hearing.

The respondent shall be entitled to depose the complainant or complainants on any charge. No other depositions or other method of discovery shall be permitted except upon motion to the Chairperson of the Hearing Panel Subcommittee and only upon a showing of good cause for such additional discovery. The Chairperson of the Hearing Panel Subcommittee shall have authority to hear and resolve objections to discovery. Unless otherwise ordered by the Hearing Panel Subcommittee, discovery materials shall not be filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Appeals, but shall be retained by the parties and delivered to the Subcommittee if necessary for any prehearing matters.

The Hearing Panel Subcommittee shall set a hearing on formal charges to be conducted within one hundred twenty days of the service of formal charges. The Chairperson of a Hearing Panel Subcommittee may also set a prehearing conference prior to the hearing. The Chairperson of a Hearing Panel Subcommittee may extend or shorten periods contained in this rule for good cause shown. Any motion for continuance shall be filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Appeals and the Chairperson of the Hearing Panel Subcommittee no later than fourteen days, other than in the case of emergency, prior to the date of the hearing. The Hearing Panel Subcommittee may conduct hearings at such place or places in the State as it shall be determined will best serve the public interest, not inconsistent with the interests of the complainant and the respondent.

W. Va. R. Law. Disci. Proc. 3.4

Amended by order entered December 6, 1994, effective 1/1/1995 and by order entered5/6/1999, effective 7/1/1999.