Rule 24. Expunction of Records

(a) Expunction — Self-Executing. — Except for records relating to proceedings that have become public pursuant to Rule 3, all records relating to proceedings conducted pursuant to these rules, which proceedings were dismissed, shall be expunged from the files of the ROC, the BPR, and Bar Counsel three years after the end of the year in which the dismissal occurred. (b) Definition. — The terms ‘‘expunge’’ and ‘‘expunction’’ shall mean the destruction of all records or other evidence of any type, including, but not limited to, the request for investigation, the response, notes and communications relating to the investigation, and the report of investigation. (c) Notice to Respondent. — If proceedings conducted pursuant to these rules (or their predecessor) were commenced, the attorney in question shall be given prompt notice of the expunction. (d) Effect of Expunction. — After expunction, the proceedings shall be deemed never to have occurred. Upon either general or specific inquiry concerning the existence of proceedings which have been expunged, the ROC, the BPR or Bar Counsel shall respond by stating that no record of the proceedings exists. The attorney in question may properly respond to any general inquiry about proceedings which have been expunged by stating that no record of the proceedings exists. The attorney in question may properly respond to any inquiry requiring reference to a specific proceeding which has been expunged by stating only that the proceeding was dismissed and that the record of the proceeding was expunged pursuant to this rule. After a response as provided in this rule is given to an inquirer, no further response to an inquiry into the nature or scope of the proceedings which have been expunged need be made. (e) Retention of Records. — Upon written application to the BPR, for good cause and with written notice to the attorney in question and opportunity for such attorney to be heard, Bar Counsel may request that records which would otherwise be expunged under this rule be retained for such additional period of time not to exceed three years as the BPR deems appropriate. Bar Counsel may seek further extensions of the period for which retention of the records is authorized whenever a previous application has been granted. (Adopted February 20, 2015, effective July 1, 2015.)