INSTRUCTIONS: This form is designed to provide the Commission with the information necessary to evaluate your complaint and to determine whether to initiate an investigation into alleged sanctionable conduct, impairment, and/or disability. Prior to completing this form, please read these instructions carefully and review the Code of Judicial Conduct and other governing law (available on the Commission’s website under Rules/Statutes Governing the Commission). PLEASE USE A SEPARATE FORM FOR EACH JUDGE.
This form must be typed or legibly hand printed, dated, affirmed, and signed before it will be considered. You must complete all required fields. You may include copies of relevant printed materials that support your complaint. Do not submit original documents or any flash drives, CDs, DVDs, or other physical devices used to store data. Submitted materials will not be returned to you and physical devices will not be reviewed or opened.
The Commission has jurisdiction over judges of the Supreme Court of Maryland, Appellate Court of Maryland, Circuit Courts, District Courts, and Orphans’ Courts. The Commission does not have jurisdiction over retired judges who no longer preside over cases, magistrates, commissioners, hearing officers, clerks of court and other court personnel, administrative law judges, or federal judges.
All complaints, investigations, records, files, reports, and proceedings before the Judicial Inquiry Board and Commission are required by law to be confidential except in certain limited circumstances. The Commission is precluded from providing any information regarding the status of your complaint. You will be notified in writing of the Commission’s decision. All decisions of the Commission are final and not subject to reconsideration, appeal, or other review.
The Commission does not have the authority to change, modify, or reverse a judge’s decision in a case nor does the Commission have the authority to remove a judge from a case. Filing a complaint with the Commission is not an appeal or a substitute for an appeal and has no effect on your legal rights. The appellate process is subject to strict deadlines and you should obtain legal advice as to your appellate rights and remedies. The Commission is not permitted to provide you with any legal advice or opinions.
Please mail the completed form and any supporting materials to the Commission on Judicial Disabilities, P.O. Box 340, Linthicum Heights, Maryland 21090. You may also complete and submit this form online through the Commission’s website. The Commission cannot accept complaints by telephone, fax, or email.
I understand that:
- The Commission on Judicial Disabilities does not have authority to change, modify, or reverse a judge's decision in a case;
- The Commission on Judicial Disabilities does not have the authority to remove a judge from a case; and
- Filing a complaint is not an appeal or a substitute for an appeal.
I solemnly affirm under the penalties of perjury that the contents of the foregoing document are true to the best of
my knowledge, information, and belief.
