COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL TENURE AND DISCIPLINE

Licht Judicial Complex
250 Benefit Street, Room 604
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1188 Telephone
(401) 222-1493 Facsimile

     Regular business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  The Commission has one staff member, an Executive Assistant to the Chairperson filled by Christina Nardi.

Instructions for Filing a Complaint and the Complaint Form

Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline (Title 8, Chapter 16, General Laws)

Code of Judicial Conduct and Canons of Judicial Ethics

Members

     The Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline was created in 1974 to provide a forum for complaints against any judge or magistrate of the Supreme, Superior, Family, District, and Workers' Compensation Courts, or the Traffic Tribunal.  The commission, chaired by Superior Court Associate Justice Melanie W. Thunberg, reviews allegations of serious violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct, including willful and persistent failure to perform judicial duties; disabling addiction to alcohol, drugs, or narcotics; conduct that brings the judicial office into serious disrepute; or a physical or a mental disability that seriously interferes with, and will continue to interfere with, the performance of judicial duties.

     Following a formal hearing, the commission determines whether the charges have been sustained.  If eight members of the commission who were present throughout the hearing find that the charges have been sustained, the commission reports its finding to the Supreme Court and recommends either reprimand, censure, suspension, removal, or retirement of the judge.  The commission may also recommend immediate temporary suspension of the judge during the pendency of further proceedings.  If charges have not been sustained, the complaint is dismissed, and the judge and the complaining party are notified.

      The fifteen-member commission represents a cross section of the population: six represent the State Bar Association and the public at large and are appointed by the Governor with the advise and consent of the Senate; one is appointed by the Speaker of the House; one is appointed by the House Minority Leader; one is appointed by the Senate Majority Leader; one appointed by the Senate Minority Leader and five judges are appointed by the Supreme Court.  All appointments are for three year terms.