Professional Conduct Rules  Commission on Judicial Conduct Rule 9: Discovery during the formal proceeding stage

Attached to the notice required by Rule 7B(4) shall be further notice that the Commission shall, within a reasonable time, make available for inspection upon the written request of the judge all books, papers, records, documents, electronic recordings, and other tangible things within the custody and control of the Commission which are relevant to the issues of the disciplinary proceeding, and any written or electronically recorded statements within the custody and control of the Commission which are relevant to the issues of the disciplinary proceeding. The failure of the Commission to furnish timely any such materials provided for herein shall not affect the validity of any proceedings before the Commission, provided that such failure is not substantially prejudicial to the judge.

Within thirty (30) days after service of the formal charges, the Commission or the judge

(1) 

May upon written request to the appropriate party prior to the hearing:

(a) 

Have made available to him for inspection and copying within a reasonable period of time all books, papers, records, documents, electronic recordings, or other tangible things which that party intends to present at a hearing.

(b) 

Obtain the names and addresses of witnesses to the extent known to a party in the proceeding, including an identification of those intended to be called to testify at the hearing.

(c) 

Have made available to him for inspection and copying within a reasonable period of time any written or electronically recorded statements made by witnesses who will be called to give testimony at the hearing.

(2) 

May, upon written application to the Commission, upon such terms and conditions as the Commission may impose:

(a) 

Depose within or without the Commonwealth persons having relevant testimony. The complete record of the testimony so taken shall be made and preserved by stenographic record or electronic recording.

(i) The written application to the Commission shall state the name and post office address of the witness, the subject matter concerning which the witness is expected to testify, the time and place of taking the deposition, and the reason why such deposition should be taken.

(ii) Unless notice is waived, no deposition shall be taken except after at least seven (7) days notice to the other parties.

(iii) Unless otherwise directed by the Commission, the deponent may be examined regarding any matter not privileged which is relevant to the subject matter of the proceedings. Parties shall have the right of cross-examination, and objection. In making objections to questions or evidence, the grounds relied upon shall be stated briefly, but no transcript filed by the notarial officer shall include argument or debate. Objections to questions or evidence shall be noted by the notarial officer upon the deposition, but he shall not have the power to decide on the competency, materiality, or relevancy of evidence. Objections to the competency, relevancy, or materiality of the testimony are not waived by failure to make them before or during the taking of the deposition.

(b) 

Subpoena relevant witnesses and documents.

(c) 

Seek any limitation or protection for any discovery permitted by this rule.

Nothing in these rules shall be construed to require the discovery of any report made to the Commission by special counsel or other person conducting an investigation for the Commission. Furthermore, in granting discovery the Commission shall protect against disclosure of the mental impressions, conclusions, opinions, or legal theories of an attorney or other representative of a witness or party in these proceedings.

Other issues relative to discovery which are not covered in these rules shall be addressed or resolved in accordance with the comparable provisions of the Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure.