Introduction
Welcome to the official web site of the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
This web site contains information on the Commission's authority and jurisdiction, its history and procedures, its recent decisions and other material related to the field of judicial ethics and professional discipline.
New and Noteworthy
Commission Chair and Vice Chair Re-Elected
The Commission has re-elected Thomas A. Klonick as Chair and Terry Jane Ruderman as Vice Chair, for two-year terms. Judge Klonick is an attorney and part-time Justice in the Perinton Town Court (Monroe County). Judge Ruderman is a Judge of the Court of Claims, sitting in White Plains (Westchester County).
Matter of Richard H. Reome, Sr.
The Commission has announced that Schuyler Falls Town Court Justice Richard H. Reome, Sr. (Clinton County), resigned after being served with formal disciplinary charges and agreed never to seek or accept judicial office in the future. The Commission's decision is available at Reome Decision. An accompanying press release is available at 2012 Releases.
The Commission has determined that East Greenbush Town Court Justice Diane L. Schilling (Rensselaer County) should be removed from office. The determination is available at Schilling Decision. An accompanying press release is available at 2012 Releases.
Disciplinary proceedings are pending against Bronx County Surrogate Lee L. Holzman, who waived confidentiality. Information and documents pertaining to the Commission proceeding, and to a Supreme Court case initiated by Judge Holzman to suspend the Commission's proceeding, are available at Holzman Proceedings.
Matter of Lafayette D. Young, Jr.
The Commission has determined that Macomb Town Court Justice Lafayette D. Young, Jr. (St. Lawrence County) should be removed from office. The determination is available at Young Decision. An accompanying press release is available at 2011 Releases.
Judge Young notified the Court of Appeals that he requests review of the Commission's determination. On November 17, the Court suspended Judge Young from judicial office, with pay, pending disposition of his request for review of the determination. The Court's order is available at Young Suspension. Oral argument is scheduled before the Court on May 31, 2012.
Military Leave of Absence
Ryan T. Fitzpatrick, an Investigator with the Commission's Albany office, has taken a leave of absence in order to deploy with his Army National Guard unit to Afghanistan. His colleagues at the Commission and throughout the Capital Region wish the best for him and his fellow service men and women, and look forward to his return to the office at the completion of his tour of duty.
The Commission's Mandate and History
The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct is the state agency responsible for investigating complaints of misconduct against judges of the state unified court system and, where appropriate, determining to admonish, censure or remove from office those judges found to have engaged in unethical behavior. All determinations are subject to review in the Court of Appeals, New York State's highest court.For a fuller description of the Commission's mandate and history, please refer to the section on Mandate & History in the General Information page of this web site.
Commission Profile
There are 11 Commission members, each serving a term of four years. The Governor appoints four members, the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals appoints three, and each of the four leaders of the State Legislature appoints one. The members serve part-time, without compensation. The Commission elects one of its members to serve as chair.The Commission appoints an Administrator and Counsel, who serves full-time and hires and directs the staff. The Commission's offices are located in New York City, Albany and Rochester.In addition, the Commission is assisted by a lawyer who is the Clerk of the Commission. A listing of Commission Members and Staff,and selected biographies, are located in the General Information section of this web site.
The best way to communicate with us is by letter, particularly if your purpose is to make a complaint against a judge. (See the page within in this web site on Filing a Complaint.) You may also contact us by fax or e-mail, as indicated below; but please note that, by law, all complaints must be in writing and signed. Communications regarding complaints should be sent in writing to one of the postal addresses below. Because the Commission members decide whether to investigate a complaint, the Commission staff is not permitted to advise complainants or potential complainants whether their complaints would be investigated.
- Postal Addresses
- 61 Broadway ♦ New York, New York 10006 (Principal Office)
- Corning Tower, Suite 2301 ♦ Empire State Plaza ♦ Albany, New York 12223
- 400 Andrews Street ♦ Rochester, New York 14604
- Telephone
- 646-386-4800 (New York City)
- 518-453-4600 (Albany)
- 585-784-4141 (Rochester)
- Fax
- 646-458-0037 (New York City)
- 518-486-1850 (Albany)
- 585-232-7834 (Rochester)
Email the Commission:
General Inquiries: cjc@cjc.ny.gov
Comments Regarding Pending Rules Changes: rulemaking@cjc.ny.gov
For information on public records, go to Public Records on this website.
Useful Links:
Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics
Judicial Campaign Ethics Center
Joint Commission on Public Ethics
Court System's Ethics Commission
New York State Judicial Institute
New York Codes, Rules and Regulations