NCJ Number
202771
Date Published
2003
Length
216 pages
Annotation
This document provides the annual report for 2002 of the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Abstract
The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct reviews complaints of misconduct against judges of the State Unified Court System, which includes approximately 3,363 judges and justices. The Commission received 1,435 new complaints in 2002. Preliminary inquiries were conduced in 352 of these, requiring such steps as interviewing the attorneys involved, analyzing court files, and reviewing trial transcripts. In 203 cases, the Commission authorized full-fledged investigations. In addition, there were 143 investigations pending from the previous year. Eighty-three complaints were dismissed outright. Fifty-nine complaints involving 53 different judges were dismissed with letters of dismissal and caution. Eight complaints involving seven different judges were closed upon the judges’ resignation. Six complaints involving six judges were closed upon vacancy of office due to reasons other than resignation, such as the judge’s retirement or failure to win re-election. Forty-seven complaints involving 33 different judges resulted in formal charges being authorized. One hundred forty-three investigations were pending as of December 31, 2002. As of January 1, 2002, there were pending Formal Written Complaints in 45 matters, involving 32 different judges. This represents an increase from the 32 matters pending against 26 different judges at the equivalent point a year earlier. During 2002, Formal Written Complaints were authorized in 47 additional matters, involving 33 different judges. The Commission rendered 28 formal disciplinary determinations in 2002: 7 removals, 12 censures, and 9 admonitions. Fourteen of the 28 respondents disciplined were non-lawyer judges, and 14 were lawyer-judges. Eighteen of the respondents were part-time town or village justices, and 10 were judges of higher courts. Appendix