Copyright 1995-1999 Touch N' Go Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No claim made to official government works.
A. Public Statements - General. The Commission may, from time to time, issue press releases and other public statements explaining the nature of its jurisdiction, procedures for institution of accusations, limitations upon its powers and authority, and reports on the conduct of the affairs of the Commission, providing that such releases and reports shall not identify by name, position, or address the identity of any judge or other person involved in any inquiry before the Commission unless such disclosure is otherwise provided for in A.S.22.30.060 and these Rules.
B. Formal Proceedings. Upon filing of formal charges, only the formal charges, the answer, the formal evidentiary hearing, and the final recommendation by the Commission including any minority report as to disposition shall become public. Unless otherwise ordered, all discovery items introduced into evidence at the public formal hearing shall become public documents when introduced. All other discovery items shall remain confidential.
C. Formal Ethics Opinions. In its discretion, the Commission may issue Formal Ethics Opinions. Formal Ethics Opinions are not to be confused with Formal Advisory Opinions set out in Rule 19. Formal Advisory Opinions can only be made at the request of the judge requesting the opinion. Formal Ethics Opinions are opinions, open to the public, based on facts from actual complaints brought before the Commission that are found to violate the Code of Judicial Conduct. The purpose of the Formal Ethics Opinion is to guide judicial conduct. These opinions may not identify the judge or otherwise violate the Commission's obligation to maintain the confidentiality of its proceedings. A Formal Ethics Opinion may not issue until the disciplinary process involving the underlying facts has been concluded and all related appellate proceedings have been adjudicated.
(Amended March 1, 1996)
D. Inquiries by the Press. Inquiries by the press concerning Commission activities except those directly involving the Executive Director may be responded to only by the Executive Director. Where special counsel has been retained, the Executive Director may refer inquiries to special counsel. Inquiries by the press concerning the Executive Director's activities and qualifications may be responded to only by the Commission Chairperson or a designated Commission member.
E. Comments by Commission Members. Out of concern for maintaining confidentiality of Commission proceedings and to avoid positions of conflict, it is Commission policy that Commission members should refrain from publicly commenting on the judicial qualifications of any sitting or pro tem judge.
(Adopted November 1, 1991)
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Copyright 1995-1999 by Touch N' Go Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. No copyright claim is made to the text of the rules.
Last Modified 7/14/1999
