Press Release

Press Release  Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct publishes Annual Report covering 2019 activities

CJC publishes 2019 Annual Report
For immediate release:
12/04/2020
  • Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct

Media Contact   for Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct publishes Annual Report covering 2019 activities

Howard Neff, Executive Director

Boston, MAOn December 4, 2020, the Commission on Judicial Conduct’s Executive Director, Howard V. Neff, III, published the Commission’s 2019 Annual Report, covering its activities from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019. 

The Commission reports that 551 complaints were filed with the Commission in 2019, and out of those complaints, 85 were docketed for investigation or Commission Screening.  In order for a complaint to be docketed for investigation or Commission Screening, it must allege specific facts that, if true, would constitute judicial misconduct or disability. 

The Commission conducts a Commission Screening into some docketed complaints, including stale complaints and anonymous complaints, to determine whether the complaints meet the necessary threshold to be investigated.  In 2019, the Commission dismissed eleven complaints after Commission Screening and thirty-five complaints after investigation (including four complaints dismissed with an expression of concern to the judge).

Of the complaints received in 2019, 289 were submitted through the Commission’s online complaint form, which first became available on July 22, 2015.

The Commission considered 98 complaints filed in 2019 and previous years and disposed of 51 of them in 2019.  Of the 98 complaints considered by the Commission in 2019, 50 were dismissed upon the Commission’s finding of no misconduct.  Two complaints that were subject to an Informal Adjustment or Agreed Disposition were actively monitored by the Commission in 2019 and one of those complaints was successfully closed. 

The Annual Report includes statistics for the year 2019; overall statistics dating back to the year 2015, a copy of the Commission’s enabling statute, a copy of its Rules, and a copy of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which became effective on January 1, 2016.

The Commission’s statute and rules, and a copy of the 2019 Annual Report are available on the Commission’s website: www.mass.gov/cjc.

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Media Contact   for Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct publishes Annual Report covering 2019 activities

  • Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct 

    The Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct (CJC) is the state agency 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.
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