NCJ Number
149392
Date Published
1994
Length
64 pages
Annotation
This 1993 annual report of the California Commission on Judicial Performance presents statistics and information on Commission activities in 1993.
Abstract
As mandated by the California Constitution, the Commission's primary duty is to investigate charges of willful misconduct in office, persistent failure or inability to perform the duties of a judge, habitual intemperance in the use of intoxicants or drugs, conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute, or other improper actions or derelictions of duty. The Commission is also charged with evaluating disabilities that seriously interfere with a judge's performance. This report describes the complaint process, investigation at the Commission's direction, and formal proceedings. Statistics show that since its inception, the Commission has recommended the removal or involuntary retirement of 15 judges. The State Supreme Court has accepted the recommendation in 13 cases. During the last 10 years, 32 judges have resigned or retired with Commission proceedings pending. In 1993 the Commission received 950 complaints, double the number of complaints received in 1986. The Commission ordered 121 staff inquiries and 35 preliminary investigations in 1993 and instituted formal proceedings in 9 matters. In 1993 the Commission issued 26 advisory letters, 7 private admonishments, and 2 public reprovals. Appended governing provisions, case citations, flow charts of Commission proceedings, and a sample complaint form