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What is a Formal Complaint?
A Formal Complaint is filed at the direction of the Committee on Professional Responsibility or as a result of the attorney appealing the discipline imposed by the Committee. Formal Complaints are public record and are filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Mississippi. Once a Formal Complaint is filed, the Supreme Court designates a Complaint Tribunal to hear and determine the matter. A Complaint Tribunal can dismiss the Formal Complaint or impose discipline in the form of a Private Reprimand, Public Reprimand, Suspension of Disbarment. The attorney or the Bar may appeal the decision of a Complaint Tribunal within 30 days to the Supreme Court of Mississippi. See Rules 8 and 9 of the Rules of Discipline for the Mississippi State Bar.