Court Opinion

ID: 9703284
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 23:49:56.465726+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:21:47.083443
License: Public Domain

MURRAY, Justice,
concurring.
Although I agree with the majority’s result, I write separately to emphasize the reasons that I believe that the Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline (commission) is not impotent in disciplining judges for their improper conduct as judges. Moreover, I do not believe that by simply resigning, a judge may evade the jurisdiction of the commission.
Under Rhode Island law the commission “shall make a preliminary investigation,” upon receipt of a verified statement or sua sponte, whenever it is alleged in good faith that any judge “is guilty of a violation of the canons of judicial ethics.” G.L.1956 (1985 Reenactment) § 8-16-4(b), as amended by P.L.1987, ch. 492, § 1. If the preliminary investigation discloses that a charge of judicial unfitness is supported by substantial evidence, the commission “shall direct that a public hearing thereon be held.” Section 8-16-4(c). Section 8-16-5, as amended by P.L.1987, ch. 492, § 1 provides that the commission may then recommend that the Supreme Court censure, reprimand, suspend, or remove the judge from office. The remedies of censure or reprimand are still available even if a judge resigns.
This statutory scheme enables the commission to regulate the conduct of judges. The regulation of judges is necessary to ensure that judges behave properly and to preserve the public’s confidence in the judiciary. The public’s confidence in the judiciary and the commission would be shaken if the system for the regulation of the conduct of the judiciary could be frustrated simply by the resignation of the judge under investigation. Hence I do not believe that the Legislature intended to allow the frustration of the statutory scheme by denying the commission’s jurisdiction over a judge who has resigned.
This statutory interpretation is necessary to ensure that the commission operates fairly and effectively. We want the com*1390mission to have an opportunity to discover facts before proceeding to a public hearing. If a judge could resign as soon as he or she becomes aware that a preliminary investigation is under way, then the commission would be forced to act hastily. If the commission is forced to act hastily, then the commission is deprived of the opportunity to thoroughly investigate before making a recommendation to the Supreme Court.
I therefore believe that the commission has jurisdiction.