The word “judge” in this subchapter means anyone, whether or not a lawyer, who is an officer of the judicial system performing judicial functions, including an officer such as a referee, special master, court commissioner, or magistrate, whether full-time or part-time.
(a) There is hereby established a commission to be known as the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission, hereinafter referred to as the “commission”, consisting of nine (9) members, each of whom shall be residents of Arkansas, and shall be appointed as follows: (1) Three (3) members shall be judges of the Arkansas Court of Appeals, […]
(a) The Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission shall employ a director and such additional professional and clerical staff as may be authorized, from time to time, by appropriation passed by the General Assembly. (b) Effective July 1, 1994, the Director of the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission shall be an attorney licensed to practice in […]
(a) The Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission shall initiate or shall receive information, conduct investigations and hearings, and make recommendations to the Supreme Court concerning: (1) Allegations of judicial misconduct; (2) Allegations of physical or mental disability of judges requiring leave or involuntary retirement; and (3) Matters of voluntary retirement or leave for disability. (b) […]
The Supreme Court shall adopt rules with regard to all matters of Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission operations and all disciplinary and disability proceedings and promulgate rules of procedure.
Members of the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission, referees, commission counsel, and staff shall be absolutely immune from suit for all conduct in the course of their official duties.
Grounds for leave consist of a temporary physical or mental incapacity which impairs the ability of the judge to substantially perform the duties of his or her judicial office and which exists or is likely to exist for a period of one (1) year or less. Leave cannot be granted to exceed one (1) year.
A judge may be suspended by the Supreme Court with pay: (1) While a recommendation to the Supreme Court by the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission for his or her removal or involuntary disability retirement is pending; or (2) When articles of impeachment have been voted by the House of Representatives.
(a) (1) A judge shall be suspended from office with pay by the Supreme Court if: (A) An indictment or information charges the judge in any court in the United States with a crime punishable as a felony under the laws of Arkansas or the United States or with any other offense that involves moral […]
(a) The grounds for removal conferred by this subchapter shall be both alternative and cumulative to the power of impeachment provided by the Arkansas Constitution and removal otherwise provided by law. (b) A judge may be removed from office on any of the following grounds: (1) Conviction of any offense punishable as a felony under […]
The granting of leave, suspension, with or without pay, removal, or involuntary disability retirement pursuant to this subchapter shall create a vacancy in the judicial office.
