State Bar won't delay former Durham DA's disciplinary hearing

The North Carolina State Bar has denied a request from former Durham County District Attorney Tracey Cline to delay her disciplinary hearing

The hearing is scheduled for Oct. 1-5.

Cline was removed from office in March after Superior Court Judge Robert Hobgood found that she had damaged the Durham County justice system through her repeated allegations that a Superior Court judge was corrupt and biased against her.

Cline has appealed the ruling on free speech and due process issues.

She wanted the State Bar to delay her disciplinary hearing until after the appeal could be decided.

A complaint before the State Bar alleges that Cline committed five violations of rules requiring lawyers to be honest and trustworthy.

Her motion for the delay stated that some of Hobgood's findings, which likely would be part of the State Bar's case, could be thrown out on appeal.

Attorneys for the State Bar said in a filing this week that "it is important that (the) defendant be subjected to the disciplinary process in a timely fashion in order to protect the interests of the public."

The State Bar imposes discipline on members who it deems have interfered with the administration of justice, but it is not clear what punishment Cline could face.