MILLAN PEREZ, YARITZA DEL CARMEN V. RODRIGUEZ PEREZ, JULIO C

Attorney José A. Rivera García petitioned the Puerto Rico Court of Appeals via certiorari to challenge a $250 sanction. The sanction was imposed by the Court of First Instance in a case involving a declaration of incapacity and appointment of a guardian. The lower court sanctioned the attorney for requesting a hearing suspension late and not being prepared with necessary documentation. Representing the client through Legal Services of Puerto Rico (SLPR), the attorney argued the client's new employment rendered her ineligible for free services. He contended that delays in SLPR's internal process for determining eligibility and authorizing withdrawal prevented him from acting sooner. The Court of First Instance denied the suspension request and later imposed the sanction after SLPR attributed the delays to the attorney. The attorney alleged the sanction was erroneous due to lack of jurisdiction, abuse of discretion, and LSC regulations prohibiting continued representation. The Court of Appeals issued the requested writ but ultimately confirmed the resolution imposing the sanction.