2023 Tennessee Code › Title 17 - JUDGES AND CHANCELLORS (§§ 17-1-101 — 17-5-311) › Chapter 5 - BOARD OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT (§§ 17-5-101 — 17-5-311) › Part 3 - JURISDICTION AND PROCEEDINGS (§§ 17-5-301 — 17-5-311) › Section 17-5-303 - Investigations of complaints by disciplinary counsel - Recommendation by disciplinary counsel - Action by investigative panel

(a)
The disciplinary counsel shall evaluate all information coming to the disciplinary counsel's attention by complaint, upon the request of any member of the board, or from any other credible source that alleges judicial misconduct or incapacity within fourteen (14) days of the date of a written complaint being filed, a request being submitted, or the receipt of information from a credible source alleging judicial misconduct or incapacity.
(b)
In instances in which a complaint is filed, the complaint must be submitted in writing, must contain the name of the complainant, must be signed by the complainant, and must allege specific facts directly relating to the alleged misconduct or incapacity of the judge in question. The disciplinary counsel shall review all complaints and if, in the judgment of the disciplinary counsel, the complaint establishes probable cause that the conduct complained of occurred and violates §
17-5-301(j)
, the disciplinary counsel shall conduct a preliminary investigation, subject to review by the investigative panel pursuant to subdivision (c)(3). The preliminary investigation must be completed within sixty (60) days of the receipt of the complaint, unless the chair authorizes additional time for the completion of the investigation. If the disciplinary counsel believes the complaint fails to establish probable cause that either the conduct occurred or the conduct constituted a violation of §
17-5-301(j)
, the disciplinary counsel shall recommend dismissal of the complaint or, if appropriate, refer the matter to another agency. The recommendation for dismissal is subject to review by the investigative panel pursuant to subdivision (c)(3).
(c)
(1)
The disciplinary counsel may conduct interviews and examine evidence to determine whether the specific facts alleged are true and, if so, whether the facts establish probable cause that a violation of §
17-5-301(j)
has occurred; however, the disciplinary counsel shall not issue a subpoena to obtain testimony or evidence until the investigative panel authorizes a full investigation pursuant to subdivision (c)(3).
(2)
If the disciplinary counsel believes there is evidence supporting the allegations against a judge, the disciplinary counsel shall recommend to the investigative panel assigned to the case that the panel authorize a full investigation. The disciplinary counsel may also recommend a full investigation when the disciplinary counsel believes there is evidence that would establish probable cause that a violation of §
17-5-301(j)
has occurred and such evidence could be obtained by subpoena or further investigation. In all other cases, the disciplinary counsel must recommend that the matter be dismissed. The disciplinary counsel shall make the recommendation to the investigative panel within fourteen (14) days of the disciplinary counsel's completion of the preliminary investigation.
(3)
The investigative panel shall review the disciplinary counsel's recommendations and either dismiss the complaint or authorize a full investigation within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the disciplinary counsel's recommendation. The disciplinary counsel has no authority to dismiss a complaint without the review of and approval by the investigative panel, except when the complaint alleges conduct the entirety of which has been the subject of a prior complaint, is untimely, or alleges matters beyond the permissible scope of the board's inquiry.
(d)
(1)
Within fourteen (14) days after the investigative panel authorizes a full investigation, the disciplinary counsel shall give the following notice to the judge by certified mail:
(A)
A specific statement of the allegations being investigated and the canons or rules allegedly violated, with the provision that the investigation can be expanded, if appropriate;
(B)
The judge's duty to respond;
(C)
The judge's opportunity to meet with the disciplinary counsel; and
(D)
The name of the complainant, unless the investigative panel determines that there is good cause to withhold such information.
(2)
The investigative panel may defer the giving of notice; however, notice must be given pursuant to this section before making a determination other than dismissal of the complaint.
(3)
The disciplinary counsel shall request the judge to file a written response within fourteen (14) days after service of the notice.
(e)
(1)
The disciplinary counsel shall complete its investigation within thirty-five (35) days of being authorized by the investigative panel. The disciplinary counsel shall notify the investigative panel of disciplinary counsel's recommendation within seven (7) days of completion of the disciplinary counsel's investigation. The disciplinary counsel may recommend to the investigative panel any, or any combination, of the following:
(A)
Dismissal;
(B)
Private reprimand, deferred discipline agreement, public reprimand, or any other sanction authorized under §
17-5-301(f)(1)
;
(C)
The filing of formal charges;
(D)
Referral to an appropriate agency; or
(E)
A stay of the thirty-five-day period for completing the investigation as prescribed in this subdivision (e)(1).
(2)
The investigative panel shall act on the disciplinary counsel's recommendation within ten (10) days of its receipt. The investigative panel may adopt, reject, or modify the recommendation of the disciplinary counsel. If the investigative panel finds a violation for which the imposition of a sanction is not warranted, it may dismiss the complaint. If the investigative panel finds that there is reasonable cause to believe the judge committed a judicial offense:
(A)
It may direct the disciplinary counsel to file formal charges;
(B)
(i)
It may propose any, or any combination, of the following to the judge:
(a)
Private reprimand;
(b)
Deferred discipline agreement;
(c)
Public reprimand; or
(d)
Any other sanction authorized under §
17-5-301(f)(1)
; and
(ii)
If the judge consents, the investigative panel shall impose the sanction or implement the deferred sanction agreement; or
(C)
If the judge does not consent to the proposed sanction or the deferred discipline agreement, the investigative panel may direct the disciplinary counsel to either file formal charges or dismiss the complaint.
(f)
If the investigative panel finds there is reasonable cause to believe the judge committed a judicial offense, and the investigative panel directs the disciplinary counsel to file a formal charge, then upon the filing of the formal charge, all records, actions, and proceedings of the board shall be subject to §
10-7-503
and title 8, chapter 44, except that the board may deliberate in private.
(g)
Upon the filing of an indictment, presentment, or information charging a judge with a felony under the law of any state or under federal law, the board may immediately place the judge on interim suspension.
(h)
A complaint must be filed within one (1) year of the time that the party filing the complaint knew or reasonably should have known of the alleged misconduct. When the last episode of an alleged pattern of misconduct occurs within the one-year period, all prior acts or omissions related to the alleged pattern of misconduct may be considered, except a prior act or omission for which a complaint was filed and dismissed as unfounded or frivolous without a full investigation by the board.
(i)
(1)
Prior to entering into a deferred discipline agreement, the investigative panel must require the judge to sign an affidavit stating that:
(A)
The judge consents to the recommendation of the investigative panel;
(B)
The consent is freely and voluntarily rendered;
(C)
There is a pending proceeding involving allegations of misconduct, which must be specifically set forth in the affidavit; and
(D)
The facts set forth in the affidavit are true.
(2)
The affidavit must be filed with the board upon its approval by the investigative or hearing panel.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 922,s 1, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 976, s 4, eff. 7/1/2022.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 976, s 3, eff. 7/1/2022.
Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 496, s 1, eff. 7/1/2019.
Acts 1979, ch. 356, § 13; T.C.A., § 17-813; Acts 1995, ch. 208, §§ 9, 10; 2012 , ch. 819, § 4.