Public sector discipline: Former Assistant State’s Attorney disbarred on consent

In re Baba, Commission No. 07 SH 74, S. Ct. No. M.R. 22324 (May 19, 2008). James F. Baba, who was an Assistant State’s Attorney in Coles County at the time of his misconduct, took possession of three bags of cannabis that were being held in the Coles County Sheriff’s Department evidence locker. He told the evidence custodian, who was a deputy sheriff, that he needed the cannabis for court purposes, and he signed a receipt stating that he was receiving the items “for court.” The items were not, however, needed for court purposes, because no case was pending with respect to the cannabis; the cases involving that evidence had already been completed.

Mr. Baba signed a motion to the Supreme Court asking that his name be stricken from the role of attorneys admitted to practice in Illinois. The Administrator then filed a statement of the charges of misconduct that were pending against Mr. Baba, who then executed an affidavit acknowledging that the evidence described in the statement of charges would clearly and convincingly establish the facts and conclusions of misconduct set forth in the Administrator’s statement. The Supreme Court allowed the motion and ordered Mr. Baba’s disbarment on consent, effectively immediately, on May 19, 2008.

The full text of the Baba statement of charges, as well as the Supreme Court’s final order, may be accessed through the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission’s Web site at <www.iardc.org>, by selecting “Rules and Decisions.”