Bill > S339

This bill makes several changes to the composition and disciplinary procedures of the Judicial Standards Commission in North Carolina. First, it replaces the four judge members appointed by the General Assembly with four members of the State Bar Council who have actively practiced in courts for at least 10 years. The bill modifies the definition and process of "public reprimand," allowing the Commission to issue a written reprimand for minor misconduct without Supreme Court recommendation. It also changes the disciplinary procedures, giving the Commission more direct authority to issue public reprimands and private letters of caution. The bill introduces a new provision for handling disciplinary actions against Supreme Court justices, which would now be heard by the Court of Appeals instead of the Supreme Court. Additionally, the bill makes certain disciplinary proceedings and documents less confidential, allowing more transparency in the process of judicial discipline. These changes aim to reform the judicial disciplinary system by providing more flexibility to the Judicial Standards Commission and ensuring a more transparent approach to addressing judicial misconduct.

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S339