NCJ Number
213853
Date Published
2006
Length
113 pages
Annotation
This is the 2005 Annual Report of California's Commission on Judicial Performance, which is the independent State agency responsible for investigating complaints of judicial misconduct and judicial incapacity, as well as the disciplining of judges.
Abstract
The report first provides an overview of the commission's handling and disposition of complaints involving judges. It addresses how matters are brought before the commission, the nature of judicial misconduct, the limits of the commission's authority, the review and investigation of complaints, action the commission can take, and confidentiality. This is followed by a section that describes the commission's legal authority and procedures. The report then presents 2005 statistics on complaints received and investigated. The data cover new complaints, staff inquiries and preliminary investigations, and formal proceedings. Data on complaint dispositions address the number closed without action, closed with discipline, and resignations and retirements. Another section provides summaries of cases that involved public discipline and private discipline. Since June of 1998, the commission has shared authority with local courts over the discipline of "subordinate judicial officers," i.e., attorneys employed by State courts to serve as court commissioners and referees. One section of this report describes commission procedures for dealing with these officers and presents 2005 statistics on complaints received, investigated, and concluded 2005 that involved such officers. Remaining sections of the report provide information and statistics on judicial disability retirements and commission organization, staff, and budget. Appended governing provisions, selected judicial opinions affecting the commission, a 10-year summary of commission activity, and a complaint form