ORS Chapter 1 — Courts and Judicial Officers

ORS 1.425. Commission proceedings upon receipt of complaint of disability; hearing; physical examination; disposition. (1) Upon complaint from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court as provided in ORS 1.303, and after such investigation as the Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability considers necessary, the commission may: (a) Proceed as provided in ORS 1.420; or (b) If the investigation under this subsection indicates that the subject judge may have a temporary disability, hold a hearing pursuant to subsection (2) of this section to inquire into the alleged disability, or request the Supreme Court to appoint three qualified persons to act as masters, to hold a hearing pursuant to subsection (2) of this section and maintain a record on the matter referred to them and to report to the commission on the alleged disability. (2) When a hearing is held by the commission or by masters as authorized in subsection (1)(b) of this section, the hearing shall not be open to the public unless the subject judge requests a public hearing. The testimony and evidence given and received in the hearing shall not be public records. The subject judge shall have the right to be present at such hearing, to be represented by counsel, to present testimony and evidence and to cross-examine witnesses. (3)(a) The commission may direct that a subject judge, prior to a hearing, submit to a physical examination by one, two or three physicians licensed to practice in this state and appointed by the commission to conduct the examination, or submit to a mental evaluation by one, two or three physicians, psychologists or other mental health professionals licensed to practice in this state and appointed by the commission to conduct the evaluation, or submit to both that examination and evaluation. The persons appointed to conduct the examination or evaluation shall report thereon to the commission. A copy of any report to the commission shall be provided by the commission to the subject judge. The costs of the examination, evaluation and reporting shall be paid by the commission. (b) If a subject judge directed to submit to an examination or evaluation fails to do so, the judge may not present as evidence in the proceeding the results of any medical examination of the judge done at the instance of the judge, and the commission or masters may consider the failure of the judge to submit to examination or evaluation as evidence that the judge has a disability. (4) If, after hearing or after considering the record and report of the masters, the commission finds that the subject judge has a temporary disability, the commission may: (a) Enter into a disposition of the matter with the subject judge, which may include agreement by the judge to obtain professional counseling, medical treatment or other assistance or to comply with other conditions in respect to the future conduct of the judge and provide for supervision of compliance by the judge and for investigation, hearing as provided in subsection (2) of this section and, if appropriate, action by the commission as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection if the judge fails to comply; or (b) If the commission also finds that the conduct of the subject judge justifies suspension, recommend to the Supreme Court that the judge be suspended without loss of salary for a period not exceeding one year. (5) The Supreme Court, on its own motion or on recommendation by the commission, by order may temporarily suspend a judge whose alleged disability is involved in proceedings under this section from exercising any judicial functions during the pendency of those proceedings. (6) If the commission recommends suspension under subsection (4)(b) of this section, the Supreme Court shall review the record of the proceedings under this section on the law and facts and may receive additional evidence and permit argument. The Supreme Court may order the judge suspended without loss of salary for a period not exceeding one year. Upon an order of suspension, the judge shall be suspended from office for the period specified in the order. Suspension does not create a vacancy in the office of judge during the period of suspension. In addition to or in lieu of an order of suspension, the Supreme Court may require that the judge obtain professional counseling, medical treatment or other assistance or comply with other conditions in respect to the future conduct of the judge.