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Professional Conduct Rules Commission on Judicial Conduct Rule 10: Formal hearing
Table of Contents
A.
The formal hearing shall be conducted before the Hearing Officer appointed by the Supreme Judicial Court.
B.
The hearing shall be open to the public. The rules of evidence applicable to civil proceedings in Massachusetts shall apply, and all testimony shall be under oath. Commission attorneys, or special counsel retained for the purpose, shall present the case. The judge whose conduct is in question shall be permitted to adduce evidence and produce and cross-examine witnesses. The Commission shall have the burden of proving the charges by clear and convincing evidence. Every hearing shall be transcribed.
C.
The formal charges may be amended after commencement of the public hearing only if the amendment is technical in nature and if the judge and his counsel are given adequate time to prepare a response.