Rule 2.8 Filing of Formal Charges

When the Judicial Investigation Commission decides to move forward with formal charges against a judge, it first gives notice to both the Office of Disciplinary Counsel and the judge involved. The Commission then files the formal charge with the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Appeals, which officially starts the disciplinary case.

The judge has the right to respond in writing. The formal charge must tell the judge about this right and let them know they have 30 days from the date of the charge to file a written response. This gives the judge a fair chance to answer the accusations before the case moves further.