NCJ Number
208336
Date Published
March 2004
Length
176 pages
Annotation
This annual report presents data and information on the 2003 activities of New York State's Commission on Judicial Conduct, which is the independent agency charged with reviewing complaints of misconduct against judges of the State Unified Court System, which includes approximately 3,400 judges and justices.
Abstract
The report presents data on complaints received, preliminary inquiries and investigations, and formal written complaints. The commission received 1,463 new complaints in 2003, and preliminary inquiries were conducted in 394 of these cases, requiring such activities as interviewing the attorneys involved, analyzing court files, and reviewing trial transcripts. In 235 cases, the commission authorized full investigations. Twenty-six cases that involved 17 different judges resulted in formal discipline (admonition, censure, or removal from office). Four cases that involved four judges resulted in a letter of caution after formal disciplinary proceedings that resulted in a finding of misconduct. Three matters that involved 3 judges were dismissed outright, and 18 matters that involved 9 judges were closed when the judges resigned. Twenty-five matters that involved 14 different judges were pending as of December 31, 2003. Data on the sources of complaints are provided, along with commission budget figures for 1978 to the present. 10 tables and appended information on commission members and attorneys; referees; commission powers, duties, and history; rules that govern judicial conduct; text of 2003 determinations; and statistical analysis of complaints