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Filing a Complaint Against a Judge
State Judges
How complaints against state court judges are handled varies from state to state, but the procedure for filing a complaint is usually the same. The first thing you need is the name and address of your state agency that handles complaints. Your state's judicial conduct organization, in turn, can tell you where to find the court rules or laws governing the process in your state. The first step is to send the agency a typed letter, naming the judge, the court, the county and state, and giving a specific - but brief - description of the judge's misconduct. State that you are requesting an investigation. Don't forget to include your own name, address and telephone number.

Federal Judges
The procedure for disciplining federal court judges is contained in the Judicial Councils Reform and Judicial Conduct and Disabilities Act. It applies to all federal courts except the Supreme Court. Grounds for discipline are similar to those at the state level.

Submit a typewritten statement of your complaint to the clerk of the chief judge in your judicial circuit. Each circuit encompasses several states. For example, to complain about a bankruptcy judge in Seattle, file a complaint with the chief judge of the Ninth Circuit, in San Francisco.

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CONSUMER RESOURCES
Filing a Complaint Against a Judge
Trips for Judges Database
Nothing for Free: Judges Breaking the Public's Trust
ABA Justice in Jeopardy Report
2003 Justice at Stake Survey Results

Contact Info for Filing a Complaint Against a Federal Judge
Your State's Judicial Complaint Commission