I. Relating to public employees
State Ethics Commission
State Ethics Commission
The State Ethics Commission is an independent state agency that administers and enforces the provisions of the conflict of interest law and financial disclosure law for public employees.
Massachusetts laws and regulations
- MGL c. 268A Conduct of public officials and employees
- MGL c. 268B Financial disclosure by certain public officials and employees
- 930 CMR State Ethics Commission
Decisions, advisories, and opinions
- Advisories: Conflict of interest law advisories that summarize prior Commission precedent and provide examples of how the conflict law applies to public employees. They are organized by subject.
- Public enforcement decisions: Enforcement decisions against named individuals and organizations, organized by subject.
- Public legal opinions: Legal opinions regarding the conflict of interest and financial disclosure laws, organized by subject.
- Public resolutions and rulings: Public resolutions/rulings contain enforcement decisions, advisories, and opinions organized by calendar year.
Court decisions
Significant court decisions
"Court decisions either involving the State Ethics Commission or that are cited in Commission legal opinions and enforcement decisions and used to establish Commission precedent."
Mandatory training and disclosure for public employees
Complete conflict of interest law education requirements
Public employees must complete this training within 30 days of beginning public service. The training must be repeated every 2 years after that. This link includes programs for municipal, state, and county employees.
File or view conflict of interest law disclosures
File a disclosure form as a state, county, or municipal employee, or view lists of disclosures filed with the Commission, organized by year.
Learn more about the conflict of interest law
Everything you need to know about the conflict of interest law for state and municipal employees. You can sign up to attend an upcoming conflict of interest law seminar at the State Ethics Commission office. You can also schedule a seminar in your community or for your agency.
Print sources
Ethical standards in the public sector: A guide for government lawyers, clients, and public officials, 3rd ed., American Bar Association, 2022. (eBook available with library card)
II. Relating to judicial employees: judges and clerks of court
Massachusetts ethics rules
- Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:09 Code of Judicial Conduct
- Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:12 Code of Professional Conduct for Clerks of the Courts
Massachusetts ethics rulings: decisions, advisories, and opinions
Advisory Committee on Ethical Opinions for Clerks of the Courts
Established by Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:14 and operates under specific court rules. It renders advisory opinions to clerks, registers and their assistants, and individuals nominated to be clerks who seek advice concerning the requirements of the Code of Professional Responsibility for Clerks of the Courts, Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:12. Its ethics opinions can be accessed online through the chronological index or the subject index.
Judicial and clerks' ethics opinions, Mass. Supreme Judicial Court.
A listing of recently released ethics opinions for judges and court clerks.
Massachusetts judicial ethics FAQs
These clarify sections of the judicial code and include answers to requests for formal and informal advice. They are organized alphabetically by topic.
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Committee on Judicial Ethics
The Committee on Judicial Ethics is established by Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:11. It is a source of advice for judges, and organizations and associations of judges or lawyers, concerning the requirements of the Code of Judicial Conduct, Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:09. Its Judicial Ethics Opinions can be accessed online through the chronological index or the subject index.
File a complaint or seek assistance
Massachusetts Trial Court Committee on Professional Responsibility for Clerks of Court
Follows specific court rules to process complaints filed against a court clerk, clerk magistrate, case manager, register, or recorder. There is no official complaint form. Refer to the procedure outlined in Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:13 for how to file a complaint.
Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct (CJC)
The CJC is established by MGL c. 211C. It is responsible for investigating complaints alleging that a state court judge has engaged in judicial misconduct or has a disability preventing him or her from properly performing judicial duties. The CJC is also responsible for pursuing, when it is appropriate, remedial action or discipline against state court judges. Their site includes information on how to report judicial misconduct or disability. The CJC processes complaints according to specific court rules.
Trial Court Office of Workplace Rights and Compliance
The OWRC works with court employees and users to prevent and eliminate discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the court system. Report a concern or file a complaint.
Selected cases
Jones v. Comm., 496 Mass. 1036 (2025)
Allegations of judicial misconduct need to be filed with the Commission on Judicial Conduct. There is no private right of action to have the Commission’s determination reviewed by the Supreme Judicial Court.
Print sources
Enhancing justice: Reducing bias, American Bar Association, 2017. (eBook available with library card)
Contact
Online
| Last updated: | December 29, 2025 |
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