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
Matter of James P. Roman
The Commission has accepted a stipulation from Sullivan Town Court Justice James P. Roman (Madison County) in which he resigned from judicial office and agreed not to seek or accept judicial office in the future. The decision is available at Roman Decision. An accompanying press release is available at 2013 Releases.
Matter of Glen R. George
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.
Judge George has requested review of the Commission's removal determination by the Court of Appeals. On May 30, 2013, the Court suspended Judge George from office, with pay, pending the review. Documents pertaining to the review are available at George Decision.
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.
Matter of Bryan R. Hedges
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'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.
Contact Information
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:
New York State Government
New York State Court System
Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics
Judicial Campaign Ethics Center
Joint Commission on Public Ethics
Court System's Ethics Commission
New York State Judicial Institute
Committee on Open Government
New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
