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Judicial Misconduct & Disablility

Congress has created a procedure that permits any person to file a complaint in the courts about the behavior of federal judges—but not about the decisions federal judges make in deciding cases. The rules that explain what may be complained about, who may be complained about, where to file a complaint, and how the complaint will be processed can be accessed by clicking here. There is also a form you must use.

Almost all complaints in recent years have been dismissed because they do not follow the law about such complaints. The law says that complaints about judges’ decisions and complaints with no evidence to support them must be dismissed.

If you are a litigant in a case and believe the judge made a wrong decision—even a very wrong decision—you may not use this procedure to complain about the decision. An attorney can explain the rights you have as a litigant to seek review of a judicial decision.

Implementation of the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act of 1980: A Report to the Chief Justice — The Judicial Conduct and Disability Act of 1980 Act authorizes any person to file a complaint alleging that a federal judge has engaged in conduct "prejudicial to the effective and expeditious administration of the business of the courts."