NCJ Number
165734
Date Published
1996
Length
98 pages
Annotation
This 1996 annual report of California's Commission on Judicial Performance provides statistics and information on its work in 1996.
Abstract
California's Commission on Judicial Performance is the independent State agency responsible for investigating complaints of judicial misconduct and judicial incapacity and for disciplining judges. Its jurisdiction includes all active California judges. The Commission also has authority to impose certain discipline on former judges. An overview of the complaint process encompasses the parameters of the Commission's responsibilities and authority and outlines the actions the Commission can take in dealing with complaints. A section on the Commission's legal authority and Commission procedures is followed by a presentation of 1996 statistics. Statistics address the number of complaints received and investigated as well as complaint dispositions. Another section presents summaries of each case considered by the Commission in 1996. In addition to its judicial disciplinary duties, the Commission reviews judges' applications for disability retirement. The Commission granted three disability retirement applications during 1996. The concluding section of the report provides information and data on the Commission's organization, staff, and budget. Appended governing statutory provisions, selected judicial opinions that affect the Commission, a chart on formal proceedings instituted before March 1, 1995, a 5-year summary of Commission activity, and a complaint form