| Filing A Complaint
Actions the Commission Can Take
The Commission has the authority to remove a judge of the District of Columbia courts for willful misconduct in office, for willful and persistent failure to perform judicial duties, and for conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice or which brings the judicial office into disrepute. In addition, the Commission may, under appropriate circumstances, censure or reprimand a judge publicly.
After an investigation, the Commission has several options. If the allegations are found to be untrue or can not be substantiated, the Commission will dismiss the matter without any action against the judge. If after investigation, the Commission determines that improper or questionable conduct did occur, but it was minor and not part of a pattern, the Commission may dispose of the matter through an informal counseling session with the judge.
In cases involving more serious misconduct, the Commission may issue a public reprimand or public censure, with the judge's consent. The Commission usually captions these public dispositions as Determinations and Undertakings which describe a judge's improper conduct, state the findings made by the Commission, and provide the judge's assurances to refrain from such conduct in the future. Public dispositions are delivered to the judge and made available to the press and the general public.
In the most serious cases, the Commission may determine - following a hearing – to remove a judge from office. Typically, these cases would involve persistent and pervasive misconduct. In cases in which a judge is no longer capable of performing judicial duties due to a physical or mental disability which is or is likely to become permanent and which seriously interferes with the proper performance of judicial duties, the Commission may determine, following a hearing, to involuntarily retire a judge from office.
A judge aggrieved by any order of removal or retirement may seek judicial review by filing a notice of appeal with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Confidentiality
Under the Commission's enabling statute, complaints to the Commission and Commission investigations are confidential. The Commission prefers to receive written complaints with as much information as possible, including the name of the person making the complaint. Please use the complaint form below to file your complaints. Complaints may also be filed by phone or by talking with the Executive Director of the Commision. Call (202) 727-1363 for an appointment.
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