Opinion ID: 1408643
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: jurisdiction

Text: Pursuant to Art. 6.1 of the Arizona Constitution, the Commission on Judicial Qualifications has exclusive jurisdiction to investigate the conduct of a judge while he remains a judge. This is the law in most jurisdictions, In re Investigation, 93 So.2d 601 (Fla. 1957), and the rule recommended by the American Bar Association. See Rule 3.1, Standards Relating to Judicial Discipline and Disability Retirement, Professional Discipline for Lawyers and Judges (1979), National Center for Professional Responsibility and The American Bar Association. The lawyer disciplinary agency has jurisdiction over a lawyer for conduct which occurred while a lawyer, as well as jurisdiction over a lawyer who is no longer a judge for conduct that occurred during and prior to the time the lawyer became a judge. See Rule 3.2, Judicial Standards, supra; Florida Bar v. McCain, 330 So.2d 712 (Fla. 1976). As to jurisdiction over an incumbent judge for conduct which occurred prior to becoming a judge, the courts are not in agreement. The Standards for Lawyer Discipline and Disability Proceedings recommend that incumbent judges should not be subject to the jurisdiction of the lawyer discipline agencies, Rule 4.4, Lawyer Standards, supra, and some states follow this rule. See State ex rel. Turner v. Earle, 295 So.2d 609 (Fla. 1974); In re Proposed Disciplinary Action by the Florida Bar Against a Circuit Judge, 103 So.2d 632 (Fla. 1958). We believe, however, the better and more workable practice is that jurisdiction in disciplinary actions should be based upon the position the individual held at the time of the alleged misconduct: [h]ere, we are presented with an action to discipline a person, now serving as a judge, for misconduct committed while he was a lawyer and before he became a judge. Does his position on the bench render him immune to discipline for violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility applicable to all persons licensed to practice law in this state? Respondent argues that since he may not practice law while a judge, he may not be disciplined while a judge for misconduct committed while a lawyer. Although he may not practice law while a judge, he still holds a license to practice law (a qualification he must have to hold the office of judge), he is still a lawyer, and if he has violated the Code of Professional Responsibility he is, as an officer of this court, amenable to discipline   . He may not take refuge in a judicial office from discipline for prior misconduct, the effect of which would be removal of one of his qualifications for occupying the refuge. To permit the use of a judicial office as such a sanctuary would be a travesty upon justice. In re Mills, 539 S.W.2d 447, 449-50 (Mo. 1976); see also In re Spriggs, 36 Ariz. 262, 284 P. 521 (1930). We believe that the State Bar Disciplinary Board and its local disciplinary committees have jurisdiction to consider a lawyer's alleged unethical conduct even though the lawyer is now an incumbent judge. It should be noted in this regard that the Supreme Court of Arizona has the exclusive jurisdiction to regulate the admission to the practice of the law and the discipline of those admitted. In the instant case, while we are dealing with the power of the State Bar Disciplinary Board, we are actually talking about our own authority because the Bar Disciplinary Board and its committees are mere arms of this court and can have no greater jurisdiction or authority than this court. See Florida Bar v. McCain, supra, at 714. We conclude that respondent was subject to the jurisdiction of the State Bar of Arizona Disciplinary Board for conduct which occurred before he became a judge.