NCJ Number
223790
Date Published
2008
Length
248 pages
Annotation
This Annual Report of the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct presents data and information on its activities for the period from January 1 through December 31, 2007.
Abstract
The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct is the independent agency designated by the State Constitution to review complaints of misconduct against judges and justices of the State Unified Court System, and, where appropriate, render public disciplinary determinations of admonition, censure, or removal from office. This report presents summaries of the Commission’s actions in 2007, including accounts of all public determinations, summaries of nonpublic decisions, and various numerical breakdowns of complaints, investigations, and other dispositions. The Commission received 1,711 new complaints in 2007, the most ever in 1 year. A total of 136 complaints were dismissed outright; 27 complaints that involved 24 judges were dismissed with letters of dismissal and caution; 11 complaints that involved 8 different judges were closed upon the judges’ resignations; 19 complaints that involved 8 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; 53 complaints that involved 30 different judges resulted in formal charges being authorized; 174 investigations were pending as of December 31, 2007. Tables provide data on all 2007 dispositions by the type of court where the judge served. Summaries are presented for each case in which formal proceedings led to determination of removal, censure, admonition, and other public dispositions. Information is also provided on determinations reviewed by the Court of Appeals and challenges to the Commission‘s procedures. The Commission’s budget is presented, along with observations and recommendations pertinent to judicial compensation, financial disclosure obligations, and reference letters by judges. 10 tables and appended supplementary data and information