A. The judicial standards commission shall:

(1) investigate all charges, complaints and allegations as to willful misconduct in office, persistent failure or inability to perform a judge's duties, or habitual intemperance of any justice, judge or magistrate of any court, and when the commission deems necessary hold a hearing on the charges, complaints or allegations concerning the discipline or removal of such judicial officer;

(2) investigate and, if the commission deems necessary, hold hearings on any charge, complaint or allegation that a justice, judge or magistrate has suffered a disability seriously interfering with the performance of his duties which is, or is likely to become, of a permanent character;

(3) if the commission deems it necessary or convenient, appoint three masters, who are justices or judges of courts of record, to hear and take evidence in any matter arising under Paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection who shall report their findings to the commission; and

(4) after a hearing deemed necessary pursuant to Paragraph (2) of this subsection, or after considering the record and the findings and report of the masters, if the commission finds good cause, it shall recommend to the supreme court the discipline, removal or retirement of the justice, judge or magistrate.

B. In any investigation or hearing held under the provisions of this section, the commission shall have the power to administer oaths and with the concurrence of a majority of the members of the commission, it may petition a district court to subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, examine them under oath or affirmation and require the production of any books, records, documents or other evidence it may deem relevant or material to an investigation upon a showing of probable cause.

History: 1953 Comp., § 16-8-2.1, enacted by Laws 1977, ch. 289, § 1.