Wash. Discipline R. for Judges 2

(a) Generally. Decisions of the commission disciplining a judge or finding no misconduct

after a fact-finding proceeding shall be in writing, in accordance with the commission’s rule

CJCRP 24(d). The commission shall serve on the judge a copy of its decision. When the

commission’s decision after a fact-finding proceeding or pursuant to a stipulation to censure the

judge, with a recommendation for suspension, removal, or retirement, or the judge has timely

filed a notice of contest under DRJ 3, the commission shall file a copy of its decision with the

Supreme Court when the commission’s decision is final under the rules of the commission. The

commission shall serve notice on the judge of the date the decision has been filed with the

Supreme Court.

(b) Time for Filing. The written decision of the commission shall specify the time period

in which the judge may file a notice of contest under rule 3. The period may not be shorter than

7 days nor longer than 28 days after the date of service on the judge of notice that the decision

has been filed with the Supreme Court.

Comment

Section (a). The commission’s rules require that all its public decisions must be in

writing. Where the commission’s decision to censure a judge includes a recommendation to

suspend, remove, or retire a judge, the Supreme Court must consider and act on that

recommendation. Any judge disciplined or recommended for retirement by the commission is

entitled to review of that decision by the Supreme Court by filling a notice of contest.

Section (b). This section delegates to the commission the responsibility of determining

how much time should be allowed for the filing of a notice of contest. The commission is in the

best position to know whether the particular case requires prompt action or may be handled in a

manner closely approximating the normal time limits for an appeal to the Supreme Court.