Jurisdiction and Authority

Pursuant to RCW 2.64.010(4), the Commission has jurisdiction over justices of the supreme court, judges of the court of appeals,superior courts or any court organized under Titles 3 or 35 RCW, judges pro tempore, court commissioners and magistrates. This includes full-time, part-time, attorney and non-attorney judges.

The function of the Commission is to investigate and act on complaints of judicial misconduct or disability. The only basis for finding misconduct is a violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct. The code is adopted by the supreme court. To act on a complaint of disability, the Commission must find that a judge or justice suffers from a disability which is permanent or likely to become permanent, and which seriously interferes with the performance of judicial duties.

The Commission may impose admonishment, reprimand and censure. After imposing censure, the Commission may recommend suspension or removal of a judge to the supreme court. If the Commission finds disability, it may recommend to the supreme court that a judge be retired.

The Commission does not have jurisdiction over administrative law judges or federal judges. Complaints against administrative law judges should be made to the Office of Administrative Hearings, P.O. Box 42488, Olympia, Washington 98504-2488. Complaints against federal judges should be made to the Clerk of the U.S. Court of Appeals, P.O. Box 193939, San Francisco, California 98119-3939.

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