Rule 9 Answer

A judge who receives a complaint from the Commission has 30 days to respond after being formally served. The judge can file a signed answer, and this answer must be made under oath, meaning the judge is swearing that what they write is true.

The judge also has to send a copy of this answer to the Commission's lawyer. This copy can be sent by mail. The rule uses the word "may," which suggests filing an answer is optional, but doing so gives the judge a chance to respond to the complaint and present their side before the process moves forward.