• ABOUT THE COMMISSION
  • Background
  • Goals
  • Membership
  • Meetings
  • Publications
  • Links
  • FAQ's
  • Contact Us
• DISCIPLINARY FUNCTION
  • Jurisdiction and Authority
  • The Complaint Process
  • Confidentiality
  • Ethics in Public Service Act
• COMMISSION ACTIVITY
  • Docket
    • 2009
    • 2008
    • 2007
    • 2006
    • 2005
    • 2004
    • 2003
    • 2002
    • 2001
    • 2000
  • Dispositions
    • Dismissal vs Sustainment
    • Public
  • Public Actions
    • Open Complaints
    • 2010
    • 2009
    • 2008
    • 2007
    • 2006
    • 2005
    • Older Public Actions
  • Cases Filed with the Supreme Court
• GOVERNING PROVISIONS
  • Overview
  • Constitution - Article IV, Section 31
  • Revised Code of Washington Chapter 2.64
  • Rules of Procedure
  • Code of Judicial Conduct
  • Ethics in Public Service WAC 292-09
  • Public Records: WAC 292-10
• FILING A COMPLAINT
  • Overview
  • Forms
  • Mailing Address
• DISCIPLINE DATABASE

Commission proceedings are confidential, including the fact that there is a complaint or investigation, as provided in Article IV, Section 31 of the Washington State Constitution, RCW 2.64 and Commission on Judicial Conduct Rules of Procedure (CJCRP). Any person violating rules of confidentiality is subject to contempt proceedings in superior court.

Confidentiality is intended to encourage complainants to express their concerns without fear of reprisal and to protect a judge's reputation and the integrity of the judicial process from unsubstantiated allegations.

When the Commission concludes from initial proceedings that there is probable cause to believe a judge has violated the Code of Judicial Conduct, a statement of charges is served on the respondent judge and then filed as a public record. Any subsequent fact-finding hearing is public and, at the commencement of the hearing, the records that formed the basis of the finding of probable cause are filed in the hearing record.

Click here for additional info on how confidentiality rules apply to the complainant.

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