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Northern Mariana Islands Rules of Judicial Disciplinary Procedure – 2026

What happens when a complaint is made against a judge or justice of the Commonwealth. Thirty-nine rules, effective September 27, 2025 and amended December 10, 2025. Rule 1 states their scope — they apply to every judge in the Commonwealth and to all proceedings before the Investigator and the Supreme Court involving discipline or temporary removal — and Rule 4 sets the grounds: willful misconduct in office including conduct that brings the office into disrepute, willful or persistent failure to perform judicial duties, habitual intemperance, disability, findings rendered on fraud or corrupt motive, and any violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct. The procedure runs from filing a complaint through initial screening, notice of investigation, the investigation and the powers of the investigator, to the formal proceedings: the standard of proof, the hearing, the record, the procedural rights of the judge, and the dispositions and sanctions available. It also covers discipline by consent, emergency interim suspension, notification to the complainant, reconsideration, and the relationship between these rules and impeachment.

Browse all 39 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

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Rule 1 Title, Scope, and Authority Rule 2 Definitions Rule 3 Organization and Administration Rule 4 Grounds for Discipline Rule 5 Filing and Service Rule 6 Filing a Complaint Rule 7 Initial Screening Rule 8 Notice of Investigation Rule 9 Investigation Rule 10 Powers of Investigator Rule 11 Immunity Rule 12 Right to Counsel Rule 13 Investigator’s Recommendations Report Rule 14 Dispositions Following Recommendations Report Rule 15 Notice of Formal Proceedings Rule 16 Answer Rule 17 Discovery Rule 18 Prehearing Motions Rule 19 Confidentiality, Privilege, and Oath Rule 20 Standard of Proof Rule 21 Hearing Rule 22 Evidence at Hearing Rule 23 Investigator’s Representation Before the Supreme Court Rule 24 Conduct at Hearing Rule 25 Procedural Rights of Judges Rule 26 Amendments to Notice or Answer Rule 27 Record of Proceedings Rule 28 Emergency Interim Suspension Rule 29 Dispositions Following Hearing Rule 30 Discipline by Consent Rule 31 Sanctions Rule 32 Notification to Complainant Rule 33 Motion for Reconsideration of Final Disposition Rule 34 Impeachment Rule 35 Complaint of Disability Rule 36 Incapacity Proceeding Rule 37 Medical Examination and Waiver of Privilege Rule 38 Formal Proceedings Rule 39 Disposition