Embattled former Rock Island County State’s Attorney Jeff Terronez has been formally disbarred.
Terronez resigned his post with the county after he pleaded guilty in April 2011 to providing alcohol to a minor. He was sentenced to two years of probation in that case, and he was forced to forfeit his county pension. Terronez’s travel and text message conversations with the minor were part of evidence
The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) filed a complaint July 12, 2011 charging Terronez with “overreaching his position of trust and authority as a prosecutor” and “commiting a criminal act reflecting adversely on his honesty and fitness to practice law.”
The ARDC suspended Terronez’s license to practice law October 12, 2011.
The ARDC hearing board recommended a two-year suspension of his law license at a disciplinary hearing in the case held August 17, 2012. The ARDC appealed that decision.
In a decision issued Wednesday, November 20, 2013, the ARDC disbarred Jeff Terronez for an indefinite period of time.
“Disbarment is a determination that the lawyer has engaged in misconduct warranting the most serious sanction,” the ARDC said.
Disbarment means Terronez is not authorized to practice law unless and until he demonstrates rehabilitation and character to the satisfaction of the ARDC.
The soonest he would be eligible to apply for reinstatement is five years after the effective date of his disbarment.