(1) The Supreme Court shall appoint a disciplinary board to hear formal charges against members of the bar. The composition and authority of, and procedure before, the disciplinary board or panels thereof shall be as provided in the rules of procedure.
(2) A member, formally accused of misconduct by the bar, shall be given reasonable written notice of the charges against the member, a reasonable opportunity to defend against the charges, the right to be represented by counsel, and the right to examine and cross-examine witnesses. The member shall also have the right to appear and testify, and the right to the issuance of subpoenas for attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers or documents in the defense of the member.
(3) Rules of evidence and discovery in disciplinary proceedings shall be as provided in the rules of procedure.
(4)(a) The disciplinary board shall have the authority to take evidence, administer oaths or affirmations, and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses, including the accused member, and the production of books, papers and documents pertaining to the matter before the disciplinary board.
(b) A witness in a disciplinary proceeding who testifies falsely, fails to appear when subpoenaed, or fails to produce any books, papers or documents pursuant to subpoena, shall be subject to the same orders and penalties to which a witness before a circuit court is subject. Subpoenas issued pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection may be enforced by application to any circuit court.
(c) Any member of the disciplinary board may administer oaths or affirmations and issue any subpoena provided for in paragraph (a) of this subsection.
(5) The hearing before the disciplinary board shall be held in the county in which the member charged maintains an office for the practice of law, the county in which the member resides, or the county in which the offense is alleged to have been committed. With the consent of the member, the hearing may be held elsewhere in the state.
(6) A record of all hearings shall be made and preserved by the disciplinary board. [1983 c.618 §5]
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