District of Columbia Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure

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Washington, D.C.

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The District of Columbia Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure (CJDT) is a judicial disciplinary agency in Washington, D.C. The commission has the authority to censure, reprimand or remove judges from the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.[1] In addition to handling judicial discipline, the commission also evaluates judges for reappointment as terms near completion and evaluates applications for senior judgeships.[2]

Note: State judicial disciplinary agencies do not have appellate jurisdiction or authority over federal court judges and justices.

Mission

According to the commission website:

“ The mission of the Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure is to preserve an independent and fair judiciary.[1][3] ”

Organization

The commission is made up of seven members, including: two citizens of Washington, D.C., four attorneys, and one federal judge. Appointments to the commission are made by the president of the United States, who appoints one member, the Board of Governors of the District of Columbia Bar, which appoints two members, the mayor of the District of Columbia, who appoints two members, the City Council of the District of Columbia, which appoints one member, and the chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, who appoints one member.

The president's appointee serves only a five-year term; all other members serve six-year terms.[4]

Complaint procedure

There is no established format for filing a complaint, though the commission provides a form for citizens.

If the commission finds that the complaint is valid and falls within its jurisdiction, an investigation may be ordered. Once an investigation is complete, there are three possible outcomes:

  • If the complaint is unsubstantiated, the matter is dismissed.
  • If the complaint is supported, the commission may hold an informal conference with the judge to resolve the issue.
  • If the complaint is supported, the commission could take formal disciplinary action against the judge.[5]

Governing laws

For the rules governing the commission, please visit the District of Columbia website "Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure: Rules Governing the Commission" for a downloadable PDF file.

History

The commission was created by Statute 11-1521 Establishment of Commission on July 29, 1970.[6] The jurisdiction of the CJDT was later expanded to include the evaluation of judges for reappointment and senior status.[7]

Code of Judicial Conduct

Below is an excerpt of the District of Columbia Code of Judicial Conduct. For the full document, click here.

CODE OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT
CANON 1. A Judge should uphold and promote the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.

CANON 2. A Judge shall perform the duties of judicial office impartially, competently, and diligently.

CANON 3. A Judge shall conduct the Judge's personal and extrajudicial activities to minimize the risk of conflict with the obligations of judicial office.

CANON 4. A Judge or candidate for judicial office shall not engage in political or campaign activity that is inconsistent with the independence, integrity, or impartiality of the judiciary.

Contact information

Commission on Judicial Disabilities & Tenure
515 5th Street, NW, Suite 246
Washington, DC 20001

Phone: (202) 727-1363
Fax: (202) 727-9718
Email: dc.cjdt@dc.gov

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 The District of Columbia website, "Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure: About CJDT"
  2. ↑ The District of Columbia website, "Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure: The Commission's Jurisdiction"
  3. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  4. ↑ The District of Columbia website, "Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure: Commission Membership"
  5. ↑ The District of Columbia website, "Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure: Filing a Complaint"
  6. ↑ The District of Columbia Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure, "Statute Creating the Commission"
  7. ↑ The District of Columbia Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure, "Statute Reestablishing the Commission and Enlarging its Jurisdiction to Include the Reappointment of Associate Judges"
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