2008 CALENDAR YEAR STATISTICS

COMPLAINTS RECEIVED AND INVESTIGATED

In 2008, the Commission received 988 requests for Requests for Investigation forms (not including those downloaded from its website), and 572 Requests for Investigation were filed.  The caseload of the Commission is reflected in the following chart. 

2008 CASELOAD

This number is generally consistent with the overall growth in the number of Requests for Investigation filed in over the years.        

The grievances set forth a wide array of allegations.  A substantial percentage alleged legal error not involving misconduct or expressed dissatisfaction with a judge’s discretionary handling of judicial duties.

The Commission also received grievances concerning individuals and matters that did not come under the Commission’s jurisdiction: federal judges, former judges, workers’ compensation judges, other government officials, and miscellaneous individuals.  Commission staff responded to each of these complaints and, when appropriate, the Commission made referrals.

JUDICIAL POSITIONS

The number of judgeships within the Commission’s jurisdiction has remained fairly constant at 1,044, as set forth in the following chart.  
 

 

COMPLAINT DISPOSITIONS

The following case disposition statistics are based on cases completed by the Commission in 2008, regardless of when the complaints were received.  During the year, the Commission disposed of 580 cases. 

Closed Without Action

In 482 of the 580 cases closed in 2008, a sufficient showing of misconduct did not appear after the information necessary to evaluate the complaint was obtained and reviewed. In other words, these files alleged facts that, even if true, would not constitute judicial misconduct.  Investigation showed that the allegations were unfounded or unprovable, or the judge gave an adequate explanation of the situation.

Closed With Action

In 2008, the Commission issued 14 admonitory, 7 cautionary, and 1 explanatory letters.  For additional information regarding those matters, please refer to Recent Commission Action: Non-Public Dispositions-2008.

Formal Complaints

The Commission issued formal complaints in 2008.  Three formal proceedings were resolved during the year. For additional information, please refer to Recent Commission Action: Public Proceedings During 2008.

 

2008 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET

The Commission’s budget is included in the budget of the Supreme Court.  For the 2008 fiscal year (October 1, 2007– September 30, 2008), the Commission’s budget allocation was $1,086,113.  The Commission continues to do its part to keep its expenditures to a minimum due to the state’s general budget crisis.

EXPENDITURES