§25. Judiciary Commission
Section 25.(A) Composition. The judiciary commission shall consist of
(1) one court of appeal judge and two district court judges selected by the
supreme court;
(2) two attorneys admitted to the practice of law for at least ten years and one
attorney admitted to the practice of law for at least three years but not more than ten
years, selected by the Conference of Court of Appeal Judges or its successor. They
shall not be judges, active or retired, or public officials, other than notaries public;
and
(3) three citizens, not lawyers, judges active or retired, or public officials,
selected by the Louisiana District Judges' Association or its successor.
NOTE: Subparagraph (4) eff. upon ratification of const. amend. proposed by Acts
2024, No. 405, §1.
(4) two appointees of the speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives,
two appointees of the president of the Louisiana Senate, and one appointee of the
governor.
(B) Term; Vacancy. A member of the commission shall serve a four-year
term and shall be ineligible to succeed himself. His term shall end upon the
occurrence of any event which would have made him ineligible for appointment.
When a vacancy occurs, a successor shall be appointed for a four-year term by the
authority which appointed his predecessor.
NOTE: Paragraph (C) eff. until ratification of const. amend. proposed by Acts 2024,
No. 405, §1.
(C) Powers. On recommendation of the judiciary commission, the supreme
court may censure, suspend with or without salary, remove from office, or retire
involuntarily a judge for willful misconduct relating to his official duty, willful and
persistent failure to perform his duty, persistent and public conduct prejudicial to the
administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute, conduct while
in office which would constitute a felony, or conviction of a felony. On
recommendation of the judiciary commission, the supreme court may disqualify a
judge from exercising any judicial function, without loss of salary, during pendency
of proceedings in the supreme court. On recommendation of the judiciary
commission, the supreme court may retire involuntarily a judge for disability that
seriously interferes with the performance of his duties and that is or is likely to
become permanent. The supreme court shall make rules implementing this Section
and providing for confidentiality and privilege of commission proceedings.
NOTE: Paragraph (C) eff. upon ratification of const. amend. proposed by Acts 2024,
No. 405, §1.
(C) Powers. The supreme court may, after an investigation by the judiciary
commission, which shall be instituted on recommendation by the judiciary
commission or by directive of a majority of the supreme court, censure, suspend with
or without salary, remove from office, or retire involuntarily a judge for willful
misconduct relating to his official duty, willful and persistent failure to perform his
duty, persistent and public conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that
brings the judicial office into disrepute, malfeasance while in office, conduct while
in office which would constitute a felony, or conviction of a felony. The supreme
court may, on recommendation of the judiciary commission, or on its own motion,
disqualify a judge from exercising any judicial function, without loss of salary,
during pendency of proceedings in the supreme court. The supreme court may, after
an investigation by the judiciary commission, which shall be instituted on
recommendation by the judiciary commission or by directive of a majority of the
supreme court, retire involuntarily a judge for disability that seriously interferes with
the performance of his duties and that is or is likely to become permanent. The
supreme court shall make rules implementing this Section.
(D) Other Disciplinary Action. Action against a judge under this Section
shall not preclude disciplinary action against him concerning his license to practice
law.
Acts 2024, No. 405, §1, See Act.