Opinion ID: 874336
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: procedures and standard of review

Text: The Idaho Supreme Court holds original jurisdiction over claims of judicial misconduct. Idaho Const. Art. V, § 2; Idaho Judicial Council v. Becker, 122 Idaho 288, 292-93, 834 P.2d 290, 294-95 (1992). The Idaho Judicial Council is charged with investigating such claims. Idaho Code § 1-2103. Section 1-2103 provides the means by which the Council may initiate investigations of judicial conduct and make recommendations to the Court for discipline, removal, or disability retirement of judges. Becker, 122 Idaho at 293, 834 P.2d at 295. Although the Council may initiate such investigations and make recommendations, this Court has the ultimate authority and responsibility to decide what should be done in each case based on our weighing of the evidence presented to the Council and any additional evidence the Court permits. Id. This Court does not review the findings or conclusions made by the Council to determine if they are supported by the evidence and the law. It makes its own findings and conclusions from the evidence in the record. Id. When doing so, this Court applies a clear and convincing standard of proof. Id.