In re Scott M. Tidwell
On January 30, 2012, the Board of Disciplinary Appeals signed an interlocutory order of suspension against Odessa attorney Scott M. Tidwell, 51, State Bar of Texas Card No. 20020730. On or about October 13, 2011, Tidwell was found guilty by a jury of two counts misuse of official information and two counts of retaliation, third degree felonies and Intentional Crimes as defined in the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure, in case number 5191, styled, The State of Texas v. Scott Tidwell, in the 109th District Court of Winkler County, Texas. Tidwell was sentenced to 10 years in the custody of the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The court suspended the confinement and placed Tidwell on community supervision for ten years. Tidwell was also ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $4,000.00 and court costs of $305.00. The Board retains jurisdiction to enter a final judgment when the criminal appeal is final. On February 13, 2012 Tidwell appealed the decision of the Board to the Supreme Court of Texas, case no. 12-0132. On October 26, 2012, the Supreme Court of Texas affirmed the decision of the Board of Disciplinary Appeals. On December 4, 2013, the Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction, issuing its mandate on JUNE 3, 2014. The Commision for Lawyer Discipline filed a motion for final judgment, asking for disbarment, on August 29, 2014. Mr. Tidwell has submitted his resignation in lieu of discipline to the Supreme Court of Texas. BODA cause number 49518.
