About the Board of Judicial Conduct

Tennessee has a long history of preserving the integrity of the judicial system and enhancing the public confidence of the judiciary. The current Board of Judicial Conduct was created by the Tennessee Legislature through Public Chapter 496, amending TN Code § 17-5-101 and went into effect on July 1, 2019. The current board has three predecessors – the Board of Judicial Conduct (July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2019), the Court of the Judiciary (1979 – 2012), and the Judicial Standards Commission (1971 – 1979).

The Board of Judicial Conduct is charged with: providing an orderly and efficient method for making inquiry into the physical, mental, and moral fitness of any Tennessee judge; the judge's manner of performance of duty; and the judge's commission of any act that reflects unfavorably upon the judiciary or brings the judiciary into disrepute or that may adversely affect the administration of justice.

The law creating the Board also provides a process by which appropriate sanctions may be imposed.

The Board is divided into three-member investigative panels and five-member hearing panels. Hearing panels have the authority to rule on prehearing motions, conduct hearings on formal charges, compel witnesses and the production of evidence, make findings and conclusions, impose sanctions, and dismiss cases. The Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure and the Tennessee Rules of Evidence apply to Board proceedings.

Complaints are placed into the following categories:

(A)   Failure to comply with the law; (B) Bias, prejudice, and unfairness; (C) Discourtesy; (D) Abuse of office; (E) Delay; (F) Ex parte communication; (G) Disability; (H) Political violation; (l) Recusal; and (J) Miscellaneous.

BOARD OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT RULES

Rules of the Board of Judicial Conduct

HISTORY OF THE BJC

Download a report detailing the history of the Board of Judicial Conduct and its predecessor, the Court of the Judiciary and Judicial Standards Commission.

STATISTICAL REPORTS

Board of Judicial Conduct Reports

The Board of Judicial Conduct, as mandated by Tenn. Code Ann. § 17-5-207, has provided statistical data for the number of filings and dispositions handled by the Board.

Monthly Reports

Quarterly Reports

Court of the Judiciary Reports

The Court of the Judiciary ceased to exist June 30, 2012, and was replaced by the Board of Judicial Conduct.  Monthly and quarterly reports on filings and dispositions occurring after June 30, 2012, may be accessed at Board of Judicial Conduct Reports above.

2011-2012  final annual report

2010-2011 annual report

2009-2010 annual report

2008-2009 annual report

2007-2008 annual report

2006-2007 annual report

2005-2006 annual report

2004-2005 annual report

STATUTES ABOUT THE BJC

Tennessee Code Annotated § 17-5-101, et seq. may be found at the Lexis Law Publishing web site.