Introduction
Welcome to the official web site of the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
This web site contains information on the Commission's authority and jurisdiction, its history and procedures, its recent decisions and other material related to the field of judicial ethics and professional discipline.
New and Noteworthy
The Commission has determined that Middletown Town Court Justice Glen R. George (Delaware County) should be removed from office. The Commission's determination, dated May 1, 2013, is available at George Decision. An accompanying press release is available at 2013 Releases.
Report on Judicial License Plates
The Commission has issued a report dated May 7, 2013, on the ethical and public policy implications of license plates that identify the owner of a motor vehicle as a judge. The report is available at License Plates Report. An accompanying press release is available at 2013 Releases.
The New York State Court of Appeals has accepted the Commission's Determination that Family Court Judge Bryan R. Hedges (Onondaga County) should be removed from office.
The Court's decision was issued on April 25, 2013, and is available at Court of Appeals Decision. The Commission's Determination is available at Hedges Decision.
Oral argument was held before the Court on March 19, 2013. The Court's webcast of the argument is available at COA Webcast Archive -- No. 64 on March 19.
The Commission has released its 2013 Annual Report, covering activities throughout calendar year 2012. The Report is available at Annual Report. An accompanying press release is available at 2013 Releases.
Commission Member Appointments
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has appointed Jodie Corngold to the Commission, for a term ending March 31, 2015.
Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman has reappointed Thomas A. Klonick to the Commission for a term ending March 31, 2017.
Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb has reappointed Paul B. Harding to the Commission for a term ending March 31, 2017.
Information about the members is available on this website at Commission Members.
The Commission's Mandate and History
The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct is the state agency responsible for investigating complaints of misconduct against judges of the state unified court system and, where appropriate, determining to admonish, censure or remove from office those judges found to have engaged in unethical behavior. All determinations are subject to review in the Court of Appeals, New York State's highest court.For a fuller description of the Commission's mandate and history, please refer to the section on Mandate & History in the General Information page of this web site.
Commission Profile
There are 11 Commission members, each serving a term of four years. The Governor appoints four members, the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals appoints three, and each of the four leaders of the State Legislature appoints one. The members serve part-time, without compensation. The Commission elects one of its members to serve as chair.The Commission appoints an Administrator and Counsel, who serves full-time and hires and directs the staff. The Commission's offices are located in New York City, Albany and Rochester.In addition, the Commission is assisted by a lawyer who is the Clerk of the Commission. A listing of Commission Members and Staff,and selected biographies, are located in the General Information section of this web site.
The best way to communicate with us is by letter, particularly if your purpose is to make a complaint against a judge. (See the page within in this web site on Filing a Complaint.) You may also contact us by fax or e-mail, as indicated below; but please note that, by law, all complaints must be in writing and signed. Communications regarding complaints should be sent in writing to one of the postal addresses below. Because the Commission members decide whether to investigate a complaint, the Commission staff is not permitted to advise complainants or potential complainants whether their complaints would be investigated.
- Postal Addresses
- 61 Broadway ♦ New York, New York 10006 (Principal Office)
- Corning Tower, Suite 2301 ♦ Empire State Plaza ♦ Albany, New York 12223
- 400 Andrews Street ♦ Rochester, New York 14604
- Telephone
- 646-386-4800 (New York City)
- 518-453-4600 (Albany)
- 585-784-4141 (Rochester)
- Fax
- 646-458-0037 (New York City)
- 518-486-1850 (Albany)
- 585-232-7834 (Rochester)
Email the Commission:
General Inquiries: cjc@cjc.ny.gov
Comments Regarding Pending Rules Changes: rulemaking@cjc.ny.gov
For information on public records, go to Public Records on this website.
Useful Links:
Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics
Judicial Campaign Ethics Center
Joint Commission on Public Ethics
Court System's Ethics Commission
New York State Judicial Institute
New York Codes, Rules and Regulations