HB 2431 -- Complaints Against Judges

Sponsor:  Walton

This bill requires any complaints submitted to the Commission on
Retirement, Removal, and Discipline of Judges to also be referred
to the House of Representatives which may concurrently
investigate, hear, or dispose of, including issuing articles of
impeachment, any complaints pending before the commission.
Individuals submitting complaints to the commission must be
notified by the commission of his or her right to file a de novo
complaint with the House of Representatives for impeachment
review, and any action taken by the commission will have no
bearing on the power of the House of Representatives to issue
articles of impeachment under Article VII, Section 1, of the
Missouri Constitution or to censure, reprimand, or take any other
appropriate action to discipline any judge.

The Joint Office on Judicial Investigations and Disciplinary
Counsel is established to investigate and prosecute any
complaints referred to the House of Representatives, any
complaints of alleged violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct,
or any complaints or matters referred to the commission.  The
joint office will have a board of directors consisting of the
chairs of the commission and the Judiciary Committee and the
Ethics Committee of the House of Representatives.  The bill
authorizes and establishes procedures for the investigation and
prosecution of any complaints or violations before the commission
or the House of Representatives.  The joint office will operate
under rules established by its board of directors or by law.  All
attorneys, investigators, staff, and employees of the commission
on the effective date of the bill will become employees of the
joint office and serve at the pleasure of its board.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:12 pm