The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct is an eleven-member panel with authority to discipline judges of the New York courts. The Commission is constitutionally established to investigate and prosecute complaints filed against New York judges.[1]
The commission receives complaints, investigates and makes initial determinations regarding judicial conduct. The Commission may privately caution or publicly admonish, censure a judge, remove from office, or mandatorily retire a judge found guilty of misconduct. The Commission's decisions are subject to review by the New York Court of Appeals, upon a judge's request, which may confirm or reject the Commission's findings of misconduct, and reduce or increase a recommended sanction.[2][3]
The rules and regulations of the commission are compiled in Title 22, Subtitle C, Chapter V of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR), whereas the rules concerning review by the Court of Appeals are compiled in Title 22, Subtitle B, Chapter I, Subchapter D of the NYCRR.
^Constitution of the State of New York article VI, § 22(a); "There shall be a commission on judicial conduct. The commission on judicial conduct shall receive, initiate, investigate and hear complaints [...]" Judiciary Law article 2-A. Judiciary Law § 41(1); "A state commission on judicial conduct is hereby established. [...]" Judiciary Law § 44(1); "The commission shall receive, initiate, investigate and hear complaints [...]" 22 NYCRR § 7000.9.
