Subject to rules implementing this section and section 2701.12 of the Revised Code that shall be promulgated by the supreme court, upon written and sworn complaint setting forth the cause or causes and after reasonable notice thereof and an opportunity to be heard, any judge may be retired for disability, removed for cause, or suspended, without pay, for cause by a commission composed of five judges of this state, all of whom shall be appointed by the supreme court from among judges of the courts of record located within the territorial jurisdiction in each of any five of the appellate districts, not including that within which the respondent judge resides.

Such a commission shall be appointed by the supreme court upon receipt of a report of its board of commissioners on grievances and discipline that such board has received a written and sworn complaint alleging that cause exists for retirement, removal, or suspension of a judge under section 2701.12 of the Revised Code, and that upon investigation and a finding by at least two-thirds of the members of such board that there is substantial credible evidence in support of such complaint. Any judge so retired, removed, or suspended may appeal, on the record made before the commission, from the commission's action to the supreme court. The commission, the court, or a judge of the court may stay execution of an order pending disposition of an appeal. The court may affirm, reverse, or modify the order of the commission.

Members of the commission shall be reimbursed from the state treasury for their actual and necessary expenses in connection with their service on the commission.

The administrative director of the supreme court shall be the secretary of each commission appointed to consider retirement, removal, or suspension of a judge. The secretary shall certify each order of a commission which commands the retirement, removal, or suspension of a judge to the governor, the chief justice of the supreme court, and the officer required by law to draw warrants for payment of the salary of such judge.

Upon the request of any such commission, the attorney general shall assist in the performance of its duties.

Effective Date: 04-04-1985 .