Opinion ID: 1298515
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Policy reasons supporting retroactive application.

Text: As stated, judicial and lawyer disciplinary proceedings are analogous. See Haddad, 128 Ariz. at 491, 627 P.2d at 222. In both proceedings, this court retains the ultimate authority to find facts, make conclusions of law, and impose discipline. See In re Pappas, 159 Ariz. 516, 526, 768 P.2d 1161, 1171 (1988); Haddad, 128 Ariz. at 491, 627 P.2d at 222. Also, the goals of both professional disciplinary systems are similar  protection of the public and policing special groups devoted to public service. See In re Hoover, 155 Ariz. 192, 197, 745 P.2d 939, 944 (1987) (goal of attorney discipline is to protect the public and police the profession); Haddad, 128 Ariz. at 492, 627 P.2d at 223 (public protection and policing judicial conduct). Neither disciplinary system seeks to punish the offender. Pappas, 159 Ariz. at 526, 768 P.2d at 1171; Haddad, 128 Ariz. at 492, 627 P.2d at 223. Because of these nonpenal, beneficent objectives, this court's state constitutional power to achieve the twin objectives of professional discipline should be construed flexibly. Hoover, 155 Ariz. at 197, 745 P.2d at 944 (upholding hearing committee's decision to combine attorney discipline and disability proceedings without benefit of express authorization by court rule). Thus, if the objectives of judicial discipline would best be served by suspending respondent without pay, rather than censuring or removing him, we believe the power to do so may be utilized if constitutionally available at the time discipline is imposed, even if that power first became available subsequent to the conduct giving rise to the discipline. Accordingly, the conviction having become final, we hold that the following sanctions are appropriate for consideration: censure, suspension without pay, or removal from office.