NCJ Number
216497
Date Published
2006
Length
255 pages
Annotation
This report presents data and information on the 2005 activities of New York State's Commission on Judicial Conduct, which is the independent agency designated by the State Constitution to review complaints of misconduct against judges of the State Unified Court System.
Abstract
The commission received 1,565 new complaints in 2005, the most ever received. Preliminary inquiries were conducted in 366 of these cases. In 260 of the complaints, the commission authorized full-fledged investigations. A chart provides a breakdown of the sources of complaints received in 2005. As of January 1, 2005, there were pending formal written complaints in 39 matters that involved 28 judges. During 2005, formal written complaints were authorized in 37 additional matters that involved 24 different judges. The commission rendered 24 formal disciplinary determinations in 2005: 4 removals, 15 censures, and 5 admonitions. In addition, six matters were resolved by stipulation made public by agreement of the parties. These cases are summarized. A section on observations and recommendations addresses the following issues: public hearings in commission cases; interim suspension and suspension as a final sanction; public court proceedings and records; new campaign education requirements; raising funds for civic, charitable, or other organizations; potential conflict in cases that involve local legislators; and setting bail in only one form. A comparative analysis of the commission's budget and staff is shown for fiscal years 1978 through 2005. Extensive figures and tables and appended biographies of commission members and attorneys; referees who served in 2005; the commission's powers, duties, and history; rules that govern judicial conduct; test of 2005 determinations rendered by the commission; and statistical analysis of complaints