Judicial conduct commission to decide if judge faces formal charges

The Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct will meet April 24 in Anchorage to decide whether probable cause exists to file formal charges against a judge.

The commission will hold a closed probable cause determination meeting during its regular session. If commissioners find probable cause that misconduct occurred warranting action more serious than private counseling, they will issue a public statement of formal charges under Commission Rule 11(b)4(B).

The notice does not identify which judge is under review or the nature of the alleged misconduct. The commission investigates complaints about judges and can recommend discipline ranging from private admonishment to removal from the bench.

The nine-member commission includes three judges, three attorneys, and three public members appointed by the governor. It operates independently from the Alaska Court System.

For more information about the commission's work, visit www.acjc.alaska.gov.