Complaints against NYS judges hits all-time high

The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct received 2,143 complaints in 2017 – the highest number in its history and a 10% increase from the year before. The Commission also reported a record high number (605) of preliminary inquiries and conducted 341 investigations: commencing 148 new ones and continuing 193 from the year before. The information is reported in the Commission’s newly released Annual Report, available online at www.cjc.ny.gov. At the same time, budget constraints over the last decade have led to a 19% reduction of the Commission’s staff to the current 41½, which is the lowest level since 2006. There were 16 public dispositions in 2017. One judge was removed from office, seven were censured or admonished, and eight resigned with a public stipulation never to return to judicial office. Eleven others resigned from office while 1,944 complaints were received in 2016. The 2,143 new complaints in 2017 also represent a 12% increase over the 5-year average of 1,916 complaints per year. An initial review and inquiry is the preliminary analysis, clarification and fact-finding intended to aid the Commission in determining whether or not to investigate a particular complaint.