NCJ Number
133519
Date Published
1990
Length
41 pages
Annotation
This annual report of the District of Columbia Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure outlines the statutory authority and procedures of the Commission and summarizes its activities during fiscal year 1989.
Abstract
The Commission, created by the District of Columbia Court Reorganization Act of 1980, was reorganized and its jurisdiction expanded by the Home Rule Act of 1973; its authority was modified again by legislation passed in 1986. The Commission reviews complaints involving allegations of judicial misconduct and has the authority to remove a judge for willful misconduct in office, for willful and persistent failure to perform judicial duties, and for conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. In 1989, the Commission received 367 complaints, a significant increase over the number received the previous year. Twenty-one matters were reviewed by the Commission; ten cases were dismissed without further investigation, eight were dismissed after preliminary investigation, and three were pending at the time of this report. The Commission did not conduct any reappointment evaluations for active judges in fiscal 1989, but did begin the review process for 13 senior judges who were eligible for reappointment to senior status. The Commission also submitted recommendations to the Standing Committee on Ethics and Responsibility of the American Bar Association regarding proposed revisions to the ABA Code of Judicial Conduct. 4 appendixes