Discipline
The Minnesota Supreme Court, with legislative authorization, has adopted the Rules of the Board on Judicial Standards. These Rules create the procedures by which the Board considers and investigates complaints of possible violations by judges of the Code of Judicial Conduct.
The Rules identify the disciplines that may be imposed on judges who violate the Code. Depending on the severity of the violations, discipline may be private or public. Rule 6(f)(5), R. Bd. Jud. Stds. The Board may issue private discipline or a public reprimand. Rule 6(f)(5). In more serious cases, the Board may issue a formal complaint. A formal complaint is considered at a public hearing by a panel appointed by the Supreme Court. Rule 8(b). After the hearing, the panel may dismiss the complaint, issue a public reprimand, or recommend other discipline to the Supreme Court. Rule 11(b). After briefs and argument are submitted to the Supreme Court, the Court may impose discipline or take other action. Rule 14(e).
The decisions of the Court and panels are public documents. Public reprimands issued by the Board are also public. The Board has collected and posted many of these public documents on this site. (See the links below.) In addition, filings in recent public discipline matters are posted here. To check whether a particular judge has been publically disciplined, use the search box at the top of this page.
Private disciplines issued by the Board are not public documents. However, for educational purposes, summaries of private disciplines are posted on this site.