The Commission on Judicial Conduct ("CJC") is the state agency responsible for investigating complaints of judicial misconduct against state court judges and for recommending, when necessary, discipline of judges to the Supreme Judicial Court. All fifty states and the District of Columbia have judicial conduct agencies to investigate allegations of judicial misconduct and disability that prevent judges from properly performing their judicial duties.

The Commission does not serve as an appellate court to review judges' rulings. It cannot review, reverse or vacate a judge's decision. Nor does it have the authority to order a judge to step down from hearing a case or to provide a complainant with a different judge.

The Commission has the responsibility of preserving both judicial independence and public accountability. By providing a fair and reasonable process to address judicial misconduct and disability, the Commission serves to maintain the public's confidence in the integrity of the judicial system.

All procedures relating to the filing of a complaint, its investigation and resolution can be found in our statute, General Laws c. 211C, and in the Commission Rules. The narrative and statistical portions of the Commission's Annual Report can be accessed as well. If you have any questions about the Commission, we suggest that you read our Annual Report, which includes the Code of Judicial Conduct, the set of rules that governs the conduct of judges. If you wish to file a complaint, you may download a complaint form, fill it out, and send it back to us.

Thank you for your interest in the Commission on Judicial Conduct.