NCJ Number
117913
Date Published
1989
Length
18 pages
Annotation
North Carolina's Judicial Standards Commission receives and investigates complaints of judicial misconduct or disability, initiates formal proceedings and conducts hearings, and recommends appropriate disciplinary action to the North Carolina Supreme Court or the North Carolina Court of Appeals.
Abstract
The Commission can recommend the censure or removal of a judge or justice for willful misconduct in office, willful and persistent failure to perform duties, habitual intemperance, conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude, and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute. Of 91 inquiries reviewed in 1988, the Commission ordered 9 investigations covering 11 complaints. Of 17 preliminary investigations ordered or considered by the Commission in 1988, 10 warranted no further action based on investigation results, 2 were pending a formal hearing at year-end, 1 resulted in a reprimand, 2 resulted in censure recommendations, and 2 were pending completion of an investigation at year-end. Rules and procedures of the Judicial Standards Commission are detailed, and supplemental information on Commission membership and activities is appended. 3 tables.