Public Commission Proceedings

 

Commission proceedings are confidential pursuant to statute.  There are two situations in which a pending matter involving the Commission may be public.  (1) The judge whose conduct is being investigated by the Commission may waive confidentiality.  (2) The Commission may be the subject of a public lawsuit, typically commenced by a judge whose conduct is subject to investigation by the Commission, or by an associate of the judge.

WAIVERS OF CONFIDENTIALITY

Pursuant to Judiciary Law Sections 44(4) and 45, all Commission proceedings are confidential, unless the subject judge waives confidentiality or the Commission issues a determination that the judge should be admonished, censured, removed or retired from office.

Since 1978, when the current law went into effect, 14 judges have waived confidentiality at some stage of the Commission's proceedings.

HEARINGS
Year Judge Disposition
1980
Censured
1982
Censured
1982
Removed
1983
Removed
1984
Removed
1988
Censured
1996
Removed
1997
Lorin M. Duckman (oral argument only)
Removed
2004
Removed
2007
Retired
2008
Duane A. Hart (oral argument only)
Censured
2012
Censured
 

INVESTIGATIONS
Year
Judge
Disposition
2006
Censured
2006
William A. Wetzel
Retired