03.03.2014 Order of Suspension [Burke County]

Photo Courtesy of the North Carolina State Bar

Steven M. Cheuvront, an attorney in Morganton, North Carolina, was hired in October of 2012, to represent a client in connection with charges of expired registration, expired inspection, and improper passing.  In February of 2013, the client contacted Mr. Cheuvront to complain that the cases had not been handled.  The client had received a letter from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) indicating that her driver’s license may be revoked for failure to appear.

Following the conversation with the client, Cheuvront obtained copies of the client’s citations and wrote “VD” on each one, indicating a voluntary dismissal.  Cheuvront then forged the initials of the Assistant District Attorney on each citation.  Finally, Cheuvront presented the citations to the clerk’s office.

The hearing panel concluded that Cheuvront engaged in unlawful criminal conduct in violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-119 (forgery and counterfeit) and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-221.2 (altering court documents or entering unauthorized judgments).  Additionally, the panel found that Cheuvront committed a common law violation of obstruction of justice.

Cheuvront’s unlawful criminal conduct violated multiple provisions of Rule 8.4 of the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct.  Based on its findings, the hearing panel entered an order suspending Mr. Cheuvront from the practice of law in North Carolina for two years.  The order allows Cheuvront to apply for a stay of the remaining time after serving one year of the suspension.

View the full disciplinary order below.

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