Rule 22 Formal Charges

When a judge is accused of serious misconduct or is unable to do their job properly, the case moves forward through official written charges. These charges have to clearly explain what the judge is accused of doing wrong. This gives the judge a fair chance to understand exactly what the complaint is about, so they can prepare a response.

The disciplinary counsel, the lawyer handling the case against the judge, is responsible for filing these charges with the Commission. This is the group that oversees judicial conduct cases. The disciplinary counsel also has to make sure the judge, or the judge's lawyer, actually receives a copy of the charges.

Finally, the disciplinary counsel must prove that the judge was properly notified. They do this by filing proof of service with the Commission, showing exactly how and when the charges were delivered. This step protects the judge's right to know about the case against them and confirms the process was handled correctly.