Judicial conduct commission data now available using interactive tool
February 5, 2025 -- Comparing judicial conduct commissions across the country is just a click, tap, or keystroke away, thanks to a
new online resource from NCSC’s Center for Judicial Ethics.
This interactive resource helps court leaders, policymakers, and the public examine how commissions operate, including how they conduct their proceedings and what types of sanctions they order or recommend.
The tool organizes data from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., into key categories:
- Composition of Judicial Conduct Commissions
- When Confidentiality Ceases in Formal Judicial Discipline Proceedings
- Private Dispositions or Sanctions
- Public Sanctions
- Private, Informal, and Public Dispositions
“Judicial conduct commissions serve as the enforcement arm for the ethical standards adopted by each state and work to build confidence in the judiciary by enforcing these standards,” said David Sachar, director of the Center for Judicial Ethics. “By compiling this data, we inform the public, enable states to evaluate their rules, and can track trends in judicial ethics and the development of state judicial conduct commissions.”
Notable comparisons
Judicial conduct commissions, most of which were formed by state constitutions between 1965 and 1980, are well established in overseeing judicial ethics. Some notable findings include:
- Judicial conduct commissions mostly consist of judicial officers, public members, and attorneys.
- In 44 states and D.C., removal is available as a sanction in judicial discipline proceedings.
- In 36 states, the fact-finding hearing in formal judicial discipline proceedings is public.
- In 40 jurisdictions, suspension without pay is available as a sanction in judicial discipline proceedings.
Promoting public trust
Public trust in the judicial system is closely tied to transparency and accountability. In 2023 the CCJ/COSCA Public Engagement, Trust, and Confidence Committee conducted focus groups to explore public confidence in the judiciary.
“The focus groups revealed that almost nobody knows that codes of judicial conduct exist,” explained Jesse Rutledge, NCSC’s vice president for Public Affairs. “When the public learns about these codes, their confidence in the system increases.”
The focus group findings informed the publication, Beyond Civics Education: A Health and Wellness Guide for Getting Public Trust Back in Shape, released in September 2024. The report urges courts to go beyond civics education and integrate ethics, accountability, and transparency—including judicial ethics—into public outreach efforts.
Learn more
Visit our Center for Judicial Ethics and Beyond Civics Education websites to explore judicial ethics, accountability, and transparency initiatives.
Stay updated on state court legislation with Gavel to Gavel
NCSC’s Gavel to Gavel provides weekly highlights of important state legislation affecting the courts. With all 50 state legislatures set to return to session in 2025, this promises to be a busy year. By mid-January, numerous bills had already been proposed on judicial protections, judicial selection, retirement, and disciplinary systems.
Access the latest information on our Gavel to Gavel website where you can search by state or the top categories. For a short weekly summary while in session, sign up for the Gavel to Gavel newsletter.
CTC 2025: Call for sessions
NCSC’s Court Technology Conference (CTC) invites court professionals and industry experts to submit session proposals for the upcoming 2025 conference, taking place in Kansas City, Missouri, September 16–18.
CTC 2025 will feature three days of learning and networking with industry experts at the world’s largest court technology conference. This multitrack event will provide attendees with numerous session choices across various topics designed to energize and inspire teams of administrators, technologists, and judges.
Session proposals should target a wide audience and focus on topics central to the court community, fitting into thematic areas that include business reengineering, data and metrics, technology governance and project management, and transformational technology.
View the entire list of themes and complete the Session Proposal Form by 11:59 PM ET on Friday, February 28 to be part of this year’s event.