Question: Can judges be removed from the bench and suspended from the practice of law?
Answer: Yes.
“A judge shall respect and comply with the law and shall act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.” Also, “a judge shall not lend the prestige of judicial office to advance the private interests of the judge….” “A judge shall conduct all of the judge’s extra-judicial activities so that they do not: (1) cast reasonable doubt on the judge’s capacity to act impartially as a judge; …(3) interfere with the proper performance of judicial duties.” “A judge shall not engage in financial or business dealings that: (a) may reasonably be perceived to exploit the judge’s judicial position; … (c) tend to reflect adversely on impartiality or interfere with the proper performance of judicial duties.” Suspended judges may petition for reinstatement, provided they pay the costs of proceedings, fulfill the duties of a suspended attorney, and satisfies the requirements for reinstatement. Approval of a petition is discretionary and may be granted only if the judge meets the most stringent burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence, including, but without limitation, that they can safely be recommended to the legal profession, the courts and the public as a person fit to represent them and otherwise act in matters of trust and confidence; and that they are genuinely remorseful for his/her misconduct.
