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The Commission's Mandate and History

The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct is the state agency responsible for investigating complaints of misconduct against judges of the state unified court system and, where appropriate, determining to admonish, censure or remove from office those judges found to have engaged in unethical behavior.

All determinations are subject to review in the Court of Appeals, New York State's highest court.



Commission Profile

There are 11 Commission members, each serving a term of four years.

The Governor appoints four members,

the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals appoints three,
and each of the four leaders of the State Legislature appoints one.

The members serve part-time, without compensation.

The Commission elects one of its members to serve as chair.

The Commission appoints an Administrator and Counsel, who serves full-time and hires and directs the staff. The Commission's offices are located in New York City, Albany and Rochester.

In addition, the Commission is assisted by a lawyer who is the Clerk of the Commission.