Grounds for Censure, Suspension, or Removal From Office
by the Judicial Review Council
· Conduct prejudicial to the impartial and effective administration of justice which brings the judicial office in disrepute;
· Wilful violation of section 51-39a (prohibits a judge from using his judicial office or any confidential information received through his holding judicial office to obtain financial gain for himself, his spouse, child, child's spouse, parent, brother or sister or business with which he is associated) or any canon of judicial ethics;
· Wilful and persistent failure to perform his duties;
· Neglectful or incompetent performance of his duties;
· Final conviction of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;
· Disbarment or suspension as an attorney-at-law;
· Wilful failure to file a financial statement required under section 51-46a; or
· Temperament which adversely affects the orderly carriage of justice.
Note: The General Assembly included a declaration of intent for the laws related to the Judicial Review Council:
The general assembly finds that for the impartial and effective administration of justice in this state:
(1) the continued independence of the judiciary is indispensable,
2) it is in the public interest to foster the dignity and integrity of the judiciary,
3) to the foregoing ends it is desireable to establish appropriate mechanisms and procedures for the maintenance of judicial discipline and
4) the mere making of unpopular or erroneous decisions is not a ground for judicial discipline or for a finding of want of judicial integrity. (C.G.S. Sec. 51-51g.)