210AE6A7547E66868725887D0063ECEC Hearing Summary

The committee was called back to order. 

Cynthia Gray, Director, Center for Judicial Ethics at the National Center for State Courts, gave a presentation about judicial discipline. She discussed the composition of judicial commissions, and noted that other states, such as California and Montana, are also reviewing judicial discipline. She addressed the earlier questions about support services and notifications for complainants and answered that states have haphazard procedures, if any, in place.  She next presented information about  judicial discipline commission rules and what entities promulgate them.  She noted that Colorado is an outlier regarding confidentiality and when a hearing is made public.

 

Ms, Gray continued her presentation and explained one and two panel judicial discipline commissions.  She addressed the complaint screening process.  She noted that judges are disciplined for court delays in some states.  Conversation followed about  the overlap between judicial discipline and human resources, and the importance of rule clarity.   She referenced the federal system for judicial discipline. 

Committee members asked questions about affirmative duty to report when judges observe misconduct by another judge.  Another question was raised about complaint dismissal rates and anonymous complaints. 

Further discussion ensued about confidentiality in other states states.  Committee members raised points about judicial disqualification and recusal in judicial discipline cases. 

The committee took a brief recess.