Opinion ID: 1755033
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 23

Heading: Formal Proceedings

Text: If the Commission determines that the situation so merits, it may institute formal proceedings and order a formal hearing to be held concerning public censure, removal or retirement of a judge. It may elect to conduct the hearing or it may in its discretion request that the Supreme Court appoint a special master to hear and take evidence and report to the Commission. TEX. CONST. art. V, § 1-a(8); TEX. R.REM'L/RET. JUDGES, Rule 10(c)(1), (e) and (h)(1). If no objection to the report of the special master is timely filed, the Commission may adopt it without a hearing. If, however, an objection is filed, the Commission shall give the judge the opportunity to be heard before the Commission. TEX. R.REM'L/RET. JUDGES, Rule 10(j). After hearing, the Commission may dismiss the case or publicly order a censure, reprimand, warning, or admonition. Upon an affirmative vote of six members, the Commission shall recommend the removal or retirement of the judge. TEX.R.REM'L/RET. JUDGES, Rule 10(m). The recommendation shall then be subject to the consideration of a review tribunal, which shall order public censure, retirement, or removal, as it finds just and proper, or wholly reject the recommendation. TEX.R.REM'L/RET. JUDGES, Rule 12(a) and (h). The judge may then appeal the decision of the review tribunal to the Supreme Court. TEX. R.REM'L/RET. JUDGES, Rule 13.