ÿWPCy ¡Ü…§(i.Çâ.²ãˆ Ls·¦ë·JûEfN†Xt*âG(x7æ¢Ã(µÃr>D(¢ß“Ä›í"丗ã沣ǺÒpUMp£qÓTu-µ™wÖË\¥¡Æ•ó1ˆ¶ O¹x@ð# ˜Ñb±WXÉwÖé'ã‹Ôzlb ŸØš ÍU~©üëš®e}ͯ۞%#JQƒ~uD¼‚)ÈÛCKmÌíIÝŸDžmÂþ7OsâÒnC‘ôs–{qµÌeBxSx­RèF íB&…¾ñ‘VgES•'h‡i>ìÇ]…ñoåì .‰¼o´t ÒÙ]3PFÄ9©_Uôo\ö¼¦ ¿xRɶÿtÑ¢<&} ŽŠÆ^ãé¿~e€…’àÒkžRX`Øj²Qß‚ʸ%Í ›,Ø1ÍC~5hQ;0wÍ —$¸ÕëóÌtcƒÔ ­¡¬7þíA ´c¨«#ÎU‹R0N(ÖD¼/k7¸V±;–axCæö,Î!óU :1Nk^ m˜Acrobat PDFWriter,ü,,,,,ü0xÈhH  Z6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡ —˜D™EšD›EœDžDŸ EAj'-€Äý~3|x aÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ- ù-´¤ìl9Z+&Courier Regular<þ6X9`("Courier 10cpi/–v'cÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑX°ÑÓ  ÓÑ€ ÑÑ8€P®XXdúdð8ÑÑ  ÑÔ€ X¬?XXXÔCOURT€OF€APPEALS€STANDING€COMMITTEEÐ ° ÐòòON€RULES€OF€PRACTICE€AND€PROCEDUREóóÐ ’â ÐÓ9ÓÌÌÓÓà  àMinutes€of€a€meeting€of€the€Rules€Committee€held€in€Room€1100A,ÏPeopleððs€Resource€Center,€100€Community€Place,€Ô_ÔCrownsvilleÔ_Ô,€MarylandÏon€May€14,€1999.ÌÓÓÌà  àMembers€present:ÌÌHon.€Joseph€F.€Murphy,€Jr.,€ChairÌLinda€M.€Ô_ÔSchuettÔ_Ô,€Esq.,€Vice„ChairÌÌLowell€R.€Bowen,€Esq.à0 h àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àJoyce€H.€Knox,€Esq.ÐÐ (#(# ÐRobert€L.€Dean,€Esq.à0  àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àTimothy€F.€Ô_ÔMaloneyÔ_Ô,€Esq.вÀ(#À(# ÐHon.€James€W.€Drydenà0  àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àAnne€C.€Ô_ÔOgletreeÔ_Ô,€Esq.ДäÀ(#À(# ÐH.€Thomas€Howell,€Esq.à0 h àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àSen.€Norman€R.€Stone,€Jr.ÐvÆ(#(# ÐHarry€S.€Johnson,€Esq.à0 h àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àMelvin€J.€Sykes,€Esq.ÐX¨(#(# ÐHon.€Joseph€H.€H.€Kaplanà0 h àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àRoger€W.€Titus,€Esq.Ð:Š(#(# ÐRichard€M.€Ô_ÔKarceskiÔ_Ô,€Esq.à0 h àà0Àh(#h(#àDel.€Joseph€F.€Ô_ÔVallarioÔ_Ô,€Jr.ÐlÀ(#À(# ÐRobert€D.€Klein,€Esq.à0 h àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àHon.€James€N.€VaughanÐþN(#(# ÐÌÌà  àIn€attendance:ÌÌSandra€F.€Haines,€Esq.,€ReporterÌÔ_ÔSherieÔ_Ô€B.€Libber,€Esq.,€Assistant€ReporterÌDebra€K.€Dear,€Member,€Judicial€Disabilities€CommissionÌHon.€James€T.€Smith,€Jr.ÌHon.€Maurice€W.€Baldwin,€Jr.ÌClaire€Ô_ÔSmearmanÔ_Ô,€Esq.,€Select€Committee€on€Gender€EqualityÌAmy€S.€Ô_ÔScherrÔ_Ô,€Esq.,€Executive€SecretaryÌHon.€Sally€Ô_ÔDenisonÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔAdkinsÔ_ÔÌSteven€P.€Ô_ÔLemmeyÔ_Ô,€Esq.,€Investigative€CounselÌÔ_ÔBuzÔ_Ô€Winchester,€Esq.,€Maryland€State€Bar€AssociationÌÌÌÌÓÓà  àThe€Chair€convened€the€meeting.€€He€said€that€the€minutes€ofÏthe€April€16,€1999€Rules€Committee€meeting€will€be€considered€at€theÏJune€meeting,€because€the€minutes€were€mailed€out€too€late€for€theÏmembers€to€review.ÌÓÓÐ ò/B+1 ÐÔ_ÔñžñÐ  ° Ðñžññ ññŸñððñŸññ ñAgendaÔ_Ô€Item€1.€€Continued€consideration€of€proposed€changes€to€theÏRules€concerning€the€Commission€on€Judicial€Disabilities€and€theÏMaryland€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct:€€Amendments€to:€Rule€16„803Ï(Commission€on€Judicial€Disabilities€ð"ð€Definitions),€Rule€16„804Ï(Commission),€Rule€16„805€(Complaints;€Preliminary€Investigations),ÏRule€16„806€(Further€Investigation),€Rule€16„807€(Disposition€WithoutÏProceedings€on€Charges),€Rule€16„808€(Proceedings€Before€Commission),ÏRule€16„809€(Proceedings€in€Court€of€Appeals),€and€Rule€16„810Ï(Confidentiality);€Add€new€Rule€16„810.1€(Immunity€From€CivilÏLiability);€Amendments€to€Rule€16„813€(Maryland€Code€of€JudicialÏConduct).Ì_________________________________________________________________ÌÌÌÓÓà  àThe€Chair€presented€Rule€16„803,€Definitions,€for€theÏCommitteeððs€consideration.€€ÌÓÓÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °ÒÔ‡ X¬?XX X¬?Ôà@÷ ÷ ìàMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆÐ vÆ ÐÌà@  ìàTITLE€16€„€COURTS,€JUDGES,€AND€ATTORNEYSˆÌÌà@÷ ÷ ìàCHAPTER€800€„€MISCELLANEOUSˆÌÌÌà ¸ àAMEND€Rule€16„803€to€add€definitions€ofÏ"address€of€record"€and€"Commission€record"€toÏmodify€the€definitions€of€"judge"€andÏ"sanctionable€conduct,ðð€and€to€add€a€certainÌCommittee€note,€as€follows:ÌÌÌRule€16„803.€€COMMISSION€ON€JUDICIALÏDISABILITIES€„„€DEFINITIONSÌÌÌÓ?+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ °œX?Óà ¸ àThe€following€definitions€apply€in€RulesÏ16„804€through€16„810ò ò.1ó ó€except€as€expresslyÐ <&Œ!& Ðotherwise€provided€or€as€necessary€implicationÏrequires:ÌÌ€€ò ò(a)€€Address€of€Recordó óÐ Ä)%* ÐÌà ¸ à€€ò ò"Address€of€record"€means€the€judge'sÐ ˆ+Ø&, Ðcurrent€home€address,€which€shall€remainÏconfidential€at€all€stages€of€proceedings€underÏthese€rules,€or€another€address€designated€byÐ ..~)/ ÐÔ_Ôthe€judge.ó óÐ ° ÐÌ€€ò ò(a)ó ó€ò ò(b)ó ó€€ChargesÐ tÄ ÐÌà ¸ à€€"Charges"€means€the€charges€filed€withÏthe€Commission€by€Investigative€CounselÏpursuant€to€Rule€16„808.ÌÌ€€ò ò(b)ó ó€ò ò(c)ó ó€€CommissionÐ À  ÐÌ€€€€€€€"Commission"€means€the€Commission€onÏJudicial€Disabilities.ÌÌ€€ò ò(d)€€Commission€Recordó óÐ *z  ÐÌà ¸ à€€ò ò"Commission€record"€means€all€documentsÐ î>  Ðfiled€with€the€Commission€pertaining€to€theÏjudge€who€is€the€subject€of€charges€andÏincludes€all€documents€made€available€to€anyÏmember€of€the€Commission.ó óÐ vÆ ÐÌ€€ò ò(c)ó ó€ò ò(e)ó ó€€ComplainantÐ :Š ÐÌà ¸ à€€"Complainant"€means€a€person€who€hasÏfiled€a€complaint.ÌÌ€€ò ò(d)ó ó€ò ò(f)ó ó€€ComplaintÐ ¤ô ÐÌà ¸ à€€"Complaint"€means€a€written€Ìcommunication€under€affidavit€signed€by€theÏcomplainant,€alleging€facts€indicating€that€aÏjudge€has€a€disability€or€has€committedÏsanctionable€conduct.ÌÌCommittee€note:€€The€complainant€may€complyÏwith€the€affidavit€requirement€of€this€sectionÏby€signing€a€statement€in€the€following€form:€Ï"I€solemnly€affirm€under€the€penalties€ofÏperjury€that€the€contents€of€the€foregoingÏpaper€are€true€to€the€best€of€my€knowledge,Ïinformation,€and€belief."€€It€is€not€requiredÏthat€the€complainant€appear€before€a€notaryÏpublic.ÌÌ€€ò ò(e)ó ó€ò ò(g)ó ó€€DisabilityÐ ˆ+Ø&, ÐÌà ¸ à€€"Disability"€means€a€mental€or€physicalÏdisability€that€seriously€interferes€with€theÐ ..~)/ Ðperformance€of€a€judge's€duties€and€is,€or€isÏlikely€to€become,€permanent.ÌÌ€€ò ò(f)ó ó€ò ò(h)ó ó€€JudgeÐ V¦ ÐÌà ¸ à€€"Judge"€means€a€judge€of€the€Court€ofÏAppeals,€the€Court€of€Special€Appeals,€aÏcircuit€court,€the€District€Court,€or€anÏorphans'€courtò ò,€and€a€retired€judge€during€anyÐ À  Ðperiod€that€the€retired€judge€has€beenÏdesignated€for€temporary€active€serviceó ó.Ð „ Ô  Ðò òCross€reference:€See€Code,€Courts€Article,€ðð1„Ð f¶  Ð302.ó óÐ H˜  Ðò òÌ€€ó óò ò(g)ó ó€ò ò(i)ó ó€€Sanctionable€ConductÐ  \  ÐÌ€€€€ò ò(1)ó ó€€"Sanctionable€conduct"€meansÐ Ð  Ðmisconduct€while€in€office,€the€persistentÏfailure€by€a€judge€to€perform€the€duties€of€theÏjudge's€office,€or€conduct€prejudicial€to€theÏproper€administration€of€justice.€€ò òIt€includesÐ X¨ Ðany€conduct€constituting€a€violation€of€theÏMaryland€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€promulgatedÏby€Rule€16„813.€€An€erroneous€ruling,€finding,Ïor€decision€in€a€particular€case€does€not€aloneÏconstitute€sanctionable€conductó ó.Ð Â Ðò òÌA€judgeððs€violation€of€any€of€the€provisions€ofÏthe€Maryland€Code€of€Judicial€ConductÏpromulgated€by€Rule€16„813€may€be€regarded€asÏconduct€prejudicial€to€the€properÏadministration€of€justice.ó óÐ  ^ ÐÌ€€€€€ò ò(2)€€Unless€the€conduct€is€occasioned€byÐ Ò!"! Ðfraud€or€corrupt€motive€or€raises€a€substantialÏquestion€as€to€the€judge's€fitness€for€office,Ï"sanctionable€conduct"€does€not€include:ó óÐ x$È$ ÐÌ€€€€€€ò ò(A)€€failure€to€decide€matters€in€aÐ <&Œ!& Ðtimely€fashion€unless€such€failure€is€habitual.ó óÐ 'n"' ÐÌà ¸ à€ò ò(B)€€making€erroneous€findings€of€fact,Ð â(2$) Ðreaching€an€incorrect€legal€conclusion,€orÏmisapplying€the€law.ó óÐ ¦*ö%+ ÐÌ€€ò òCommittee€note:€€The€phrase€"misconduct€whileÐ j,º'- Ðin€office"€includes€misconduct€committed€by€aÏjudge€while€in€active€service€who€then€resignsÐ ..~)/ Ðor€retires€and€misconduct€by€a€retired€judgeÏduring€any€period€that€the€retired€judge€hasÏbeen€recalled€to€temporary€active€serviceÏpursuant€to€Code,€Courts€Article,€Ìðð1„302.ó óÐ 8ˆ ÐÌò òCommittee€note:€€"Sanctionable€conduct"Ð ü L Ðincludes€the€use€of€a€judge's€office€to€obtainÏspecial€treatment€for€friends€or€relatives,Ïacceptance€of€bribes,€and€other€abuses€ofÏjudicial€office.€€Failure€or€refusal€of€a€judgeÏto€cooperate€or€the€intentionalÏmisrepresentation€of€a€material€fact€during€anyÏstage€of€a€disciplinary€proceeding€mayÏconstitute€sanctionable€conduct.€€SanctionableÏconduct€could€include€repeated€instances€ofÏimproperly€engaging€in€discussions€with€lawyersÏor€parties€to€cases€in€the€absence€ofÏrepresentatives€of€opposing€parties.€ÏSanctionable€conduct€does€not€include€a€judge'sÏmaking€wrong€decisions€„„€even€very€wrongÏdecisions€„„€in€particular€cases.ÌÌó óCross€reference:€€ò òMaryland€Constitution,€Art.Ð þN ÐIV,€ðð4B€(b)(1).ó óÐ à0 ÐÌà ¸ àFor€powers€of€the€Commission€in€regard€toÏany€investigation€or€proceeding€under€ðð4B€ofÏArticle€IV€of€the€Constitution,€see€Code,€ò òCJó óÐ h¸ Ðò òCourts€Articleó ó€ðððð13„401€to€13„403.€€Ð Jš Ðò òÌà ¸ àAs€expressly€stated€stated€in€the€PreambleÏto€Rule€16„813,€the€Maryland€Code€of€JudicialÏConduct€ð ðis€designed€to€provide€guidance€toÏjudges€and€candidates€for€judicial€office€andÏto€provide€a€structure€for€regulating€conductÏthrough€disciplinary€agenciesðð€and€ð ð[i]t€is€notÏintended€that€every€transgression€of€the€CodeÏwill€result€in€disciplinary€action.ððó óÐ <&Œ!& ÐÌà ¸ àò òCanon€6€B.€of€the€Maryland€Code€ofÐ (P#( ÐJudicial€Conduct€provides€that€"[v]iolation€ofÏany€of€the€provisions€of€this€Code€of€JudicialÏConduct€by€a€judge€may€be€regarded€as€conductÏprejudicial€to€the€proper€administration€ofÏjustice€within€the€meaning€of€Maryland€Rule€16„¼803€g€of€the€Rules€concerning€the€Commission€onÏJudicial€Disabilities."ÓÓ€€ó óÐ ..~)/ ÐÓÓSource:€€This€Rule€is€ò òin€part€derived€fromó óÐ ° Ðformer€Rule€1227€(adopted€1995)€ò òand€is€in€partÐ ’â Ðnewó ó.Ð tÄ ÐÌÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` Òà  àRule€16„803€was€accompanied€by€the€following€ReporterððsÌÌNote.ÌÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °Òà ¸ àThe€proposed€amendments€to€Rule€16„803€addÏdefinitions€of€"address€of€record"€andÏ"commission€record,"€and€modify€the€definitionsÏof€"judge"€and€"sanctionable€conduct."ÌÌÐ   \  Ðà ¸ àProposed€new€subsection€(a)€provides€thatÏa€judge's€home€address€is€the€"address€ofÏrecord,"€unless€the€judge€specifies€a€differentÏaddress.€€The€judge's€home€address€remainsÏconfidential€at€all€times.ÌÌà ¸ àProposed€new€section€(d)€is€added€to€makeÏclear€what€the€"Commission€record"€is,€sinceÏthat€is€a€term€to€which€Rule€16„808€refers€inÏseveral€places.€€The€Committee€takes€a€broadÏview€of€what€the€Commission€record€entails,Ïbecause€it€believes€that€the€judge's€right€toÏreview€the€Commission€record€under€Rule€16„808Ïshould€include€the€right€to€review€anythingÏthat€any€Commission€member€has€seen€thatÏpertains€to€the€judge.ÌÌà ¸ àSection€(h)€is€proposed€to€be€amended€toÏinclude€in€the€definition€of€"judge"€a€retiredÏjudge€who€has€been€designated€for€temporaryÏactive€service€so€that€the€behavior€of€retiredÏjudges€falls€within€the€scope€of€the€JudicialÏDisabilities€Commission€Rules.€€This€languageÏis€currently€in€a€Committee€note.ÌÌà ¸ àIn€section€(i),€substantial€changes€to€theÏdefinition€of€"sanctionable€conduct"€areÏproposed.€€Subsection€(i)(1)€sets€out€what€isÏð ðsanctionable€conduct.ðð€€The€language€of€theÏfirst€sentence€is€unchanged€from€the€currentÏrule€and€corresponds€exactly€with€the€languageÏof€Article€IV,€ðð4B€(b)(1)€of€the€MarylandÏConstitution.€€The€second€sentence€is€aÏtransfer€of€the€substance€of€Canon€6B€of€theÏMaryland€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€to€theÏdefinition€of€ð ðsanctionable€conduct.ðð€€InÏexamining€the€relationship€of€the€provisions€ofÏthe€Maryland€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€to€theÏdefinition€of€ð ðsanctionable€Conduct,ðð€theÏSubcommittee€concluded€that€language€in€theÏcurrent€definition€is€overly€broad.€ÏSpecifically,€the€phrase€ð ðincludes€any€conductÏconstituting€a€violationðð€automatically€sweepsÏinto€the€definition€not€only€the€provisions€ofÏthe€Code€that€impose€binding€obligations€on€aÏjudge€(violation€of€which€would€be€seriousÏtransgressions),€but€also€the€provisions€of€theÏCode€that€are€intended€to€be€hortatory.€€TheÐ ..~)/ ÐSubcommittee€believes€that€the€preferableÏstatement€of€the€relationship€between€the€CodeÏand€the€definition€is€found€in€current€Canon€6BÏð"ð€that€a€judgeððs€violation€of€any€of€theÏprovisions€of€the€Code€ð ðòòmayóó€be€regarded€asÐ 8ˆ Ðconduct€prejudicial€to€the€properÏadministration€of€justiceðð€[emphasis€added].ÌÌà ¸ àSubsection€(i)(2)€sets€out€two€categoriesÏof€conduct€that€do€not€constitute€sanctionableÏconduct,€ð ð[u]nless€the€conduct€is€occasioned€byÏfraud€or€corrupt€motive€or€raises€a€substantialÏquestion€as€to€the€judgeððs€fitness€for€office.ðð€ÏThe€current€rule€states€that€an€ð ðerroneousÏruling,€finding,€or€decision€in€a€particularÏcase€does€not€òòaloneóó€constitute€sanctionableÐ î>  Ðconductðð€[emphasis€added].€€The€currentÏlanguage,€which€is€proposed€to€be€deleted,Ïleaves€open€the€question€of€what€must€be€addedÏto€the€erroneous€acts€in€order€for€there€to€beÏsanctionable€conduct.€€The€revised€language€ofÏsubsection€(i)(2)(B)€answers€this€question.€ÏAlso€answered€in€subsection€(i)(2)€is€theÏquestion€of€under€what€circumstances€a€judgeððsÏfailure€to€make€timely€decisions€wouldÏconstitute€sanctionable€conduct.€€Subject€toÏthe€introductory€clause€concerning€fraud,Ïcorrupt€motive,€and€a€substantial€question€asÏto€the€judgeððs€fitness,€proposed€new€subsectionÏ(i)(2)(A)€states€that€the€failure€to€decideÏmatters€in€a€timely€manner€is€not€sanctionableÏconduct€unless€the€failure€is€habitual.ÌÌà ¸ àA€new€Committee€note€is€proposed€to€beÏadded€following€section€(i).€€Except€for€theÏsecond€sentence,€the€Committee€note€isÏsubstantially€derived€from€a€portion€of€Rule€1Ï(a)€of€the€Rules€of€the€Judicial€Council€of€theÏFourth€Circuit€Governing€Complaints€of€JudicialÏMisconduct€and€Disability.€€The€second€sentenceÏof€the€Committee€note€is€derived€from€Rule€5Ï(b)€of€the€Colorado€Rules€of€Procedure,€ChapterÏ24,€Judicial€Discipline.€€ÌÌà ¸ àA€revised€cross€reference€to€the€MarylandÏCode€of€Judicial€Conduct€highlights€twoÏprovisions€in€the€proposed€new€Preamble€to€RuleÏ16„813.Ð ..~)/ ÐÔ#† X¬?XX X¬?®#ÔÌÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` ÒÓÓà  àThe€Vice€Chair€suggested€that€the€language€in€section€(a)€whichÏreads€ð ðwhich€shall€remain€confidential€at€all€stages€of€theÏproceedings€under€these€rulesðð€should€be€moved€to€Rule€16„810,ÏConfidentiality,€because€the€definitions€should€not€contain€such€aÏsubstantive€provision.€€The€Committee€agreed€by€consensus€with€thisÏsuggestion.€€The€Vice€Chair€asked€if€only€the€home€address€isÏconfidential,€or€if€the€other€address€designated€by€the€judge€is€alsoÏconfidential.€€The€Reporter€answered€that€only€the€home€address€isÏconfidential.€€Mr.€Titus€questioned€as€to€the€judge€including€aÏvacation€home€as€an€address.€€The€Vice€Chair€responded€that€to€keepÏthat€address€confidential,€the€judge€should€not€designate€it.Ìà  àTurning€to€section€(d),€the€Chair€noted€that€the€record€sent€toÏthe€Court€of€Appeals€is€not€necessarily€the€Commission€record.€€TheÏjudge€has€the€opportunity€to€review€the€Commission€record€shouldÏcharges€be€filed€and€a€hearing€necessary.€€The€Vice€Chair€commentedÏthat€it€is€possible€that€documents€may€have€been€made€available€toÏCommission€members,€but€not€filed€with€the€Commission.€€The€ChairÏstated€that€this€would€not€be€part€of€the€Commission€record.€€€Mr.ÏHowell€explained€that€the€Subcommitteeððs€thinking€was€that€if€theÏjudge€wanted€to€make€something€part€of€the€hearing€record,€it€wouldÏbe€incumbent€upon€the€judge€to€do€so.€€Material€given€to€theÏCommission€is€not€part€of€the€record,€but€is€available€to€the€judgeÏthrough€discovery.€€If€the€judge€feels€that€something€received€by€theÐ L-œ(. ÐCommission€is€prejudicial,€the€judge€can€make€it€part€of€the€record.€€Ìà  àThe€Chair€noted€that€in€a€recent€case,€evidence€submitted€toÏthe€Commission€was€not€part€of€the€exhibits€at€the€hearing.€€If€aÏhearing€is€held,€the€judge€has€the€right€to€inspect€the€entireÏCommission€record€to€make€use€of€whatever€the€judge€would€like.€€ItÏcan€be€put€into€the€record€to€the€Court€of€Appeals.€€The€Vice€ChairÏremarked€that€the€definition€does€not€accomplish€its€purpose,€whichÏis€that€all€documents€available€to€the€Commission€are€part€of€theÏrecord.€€Mr.€Lemmey€clarified€that€this€is€the€Commission€record,€notÏthe€hearing€record.€€The€Vice€Chair€observed€that€the€definition€of€Ïð ðCommission€recordðð€should€include€everything,€whether€it€is€part€ofÏthe€hearing€record€or€not.€€The€Reporter€commented€that€further€backÏin€time€at€the€investigation€phase,€Investigative€Counsel€accumulatesÏevidence€which€the€Commission€may€want€to€see.€€If€InvestigativeÏCounsel€shows€any€of€this€evidence€to€a€Commission€member,€the€judgeÏhas€a€chance€to€see€it.€€The€Rules€Committee€decided€againstÏpanelization,€so€the€functions€of€the€Commission€are€intermeshed,Ïmore€than€the€American€Bar€Association€(ABA)€recommends.€€The€ViceÏChair€questioned€the€breadth€of€the€definition€that€provides€thatÏeverything€made€available€to€any€member€of€the€Commission€is€part€ofÏthe€Commission€record,€regardless€of€whether€it€was€ever€offered€orÏadmitted€in€evidence€at€the€hearing.€€The€Reporter€pointed€out€thatÏthis€is€the€ð ðCommission€record,ðð€and€not€the€hearing€record€that€isÏsent€to€the€Court€of€Appeals.€€The€judge€is€able€to€see€theÐ L-œ(. ÐCommission€record.€€Ìà  àMr.€Sykes€asked€about€the€meaning€of€the€language€in€sectionÏ(d)€which€reads€ð ðfiled€with.ðð€€If€something€is€not€filed€with€theÏCommission,€yet€the€Commission€has€it,€can€the€judge€see€it?€€TheÏdefinition€can€be€read€as€being€limited€to€documents€filed.€€HeÏsuggested€that€the€word€ð ðmeansðð€be€changed€to€the€word€ð ðincludes.ðð€ÏThe€Reporter€made€an€alternative€suggestion€to€delete€the€wordÏð ðincludesðð€in€the€third€line€of€section€(d),€and€the€Committee€agreedÏby€consensus€to€this€suggestion.Ìà  àTurning€to€section€(h),€the€Chair€explained€that€this€provisionÏhas€been€amended€to€include€a€retired€judge€designated€for€temporaryÏservice.€€Judge€Kaplan€inquired€as€to€why€the€word€ð ðtemporaryðð€isÏnecessary.€€Mr.€Titus€questioned€whether€this€is€statutory€language.€ÏHe€looked€at€the€statute,€Code,€Courts€Article,€ðð1„302,€which€usesÏthe€language€ð ða€retired€judge€assigned€to€sit€temporarily.ðð€€HeÏsuggested€that€section€(h)€provide€ð ð...a€retired€judge€during€anyÏperiod€that€the€retired€judge€has€been€assigned€to€sit€temporarily,ððÏand€he€suggested€that€the€cross€reference€include€a€reference€toÏArticle€IV,€ðð3A€of€the€Constitution.€€The€Committee€agreed€byÏconsensus€to€both€of€these€suggestions.Ìà  àThe€Chair€pointed€out€that€in€subsection€(i)(1),€the€secondÏsentence€has€been€changed€by€substituting€the€words€ð ðmay€be€regardedððÏfor€the€previous€language€ð ðit€includes.ðð€€Subsections€(i)(2)(A)€andÏ(B)€were€modified€to€state€what€is€not€ð ðsanctionable€conduct,ðð€toÐ L-œ(. Ðhelp€clarify€the€definition€of€ð ðsanctionable€conduct.ðð€€ThisÏmodification€was€satisfactory€to€the€Commission€and€the€SubcommitteeÏconsultants.€€Mr.€Sykes€suggested€that€the€language€€ð ðmay€constituteððÏshould€be€substituted€for€the€language€ð ðmay€be€regarded€as.ðð€€ThisÏwould€make€it€clear€that€a€violation€of€the€Judicial€Code€of€ConductÏdoes€not€necessarily€constitute€conduct€prejudicial€to€the€properÏadministration€of€justice.Ìà  àThe€Vice€Chair€pointed€out€that€the€first€sentence€ofÏsubsection€(i)(1)€provides€that€ð ðsanctionable€conductðð€includes€threeÏdifferent€things,€but€the€second€sentence€only€refers€to€one€of€thoseÏthings€„„€conduct€prejudicial€to€the€proper€administration€ofÏjustice.€€Mr.€Bowen€replied€that€the€definition€of€ð ðsanctionableÏconductðð€is€made€up€of€the€three€categories€listed€in€theÏConstitution.€€The€definition€in€the€Rule€includes€a€separate€commentÏon€one€of€the€three€categories.€€The€Vice€Chair€asked€if€a€violationÏof€the€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€is€the€only€example€of€conductÏprejudicial€to€the€administration€of€justice.€€Mr.€Bowen€respondedÏthat€he€does€not€read€the€Rule€that€way.€€He€reiterated€Mr.€SykesððÏsuggestion€to€change€the€language€in€subsection€(i)(1)€to€ð ðmayÏconstituteðð€instead€of€ð ðmay€be€regarded€as.ðð€€Mr.€Sykes€observed€thatÏthe€mere€fact€that€a€canon€has€been€violated€does€not€mean€that€theÏconduct€is€sanctionable.€€The€Committee€agreed€by€consensus€to€theÏchange.Ìà  àMr.€Howell€noted€that€subsection€(i)(1)€defines€ð ðsanctionableÐ L-œ(. Ðconduct,ðð€not€simply€ð ðconduct€prejudicial€to€the€administration€ofÏjustice.ðð€€He€suggested€that€the€phrase€ð ðconduct€prejudicial€to€theÏproper€administration€of€justiceðð€in€the€second€sentence€be€changedÏto€ð ðsanctionable€conduct.ðð€€The€Committee€agreed€by€consensus.Ìà  àMr.€Titus€suggested€that€the€language€ð ðin€an€appropriate€caseððÏcould€be€added€after€the€word€ð ðmayðð€and€before€the€word€ð ðconstitute.ðð€ÏMr.€Sykes€pointed€out€that€if€this€suggestion€were€adopted,€similarÏlanguage€would€have€to€be€added€to€other€rules.€€Mr.€Titus€requestedÏthat€the€minutes€reflect€that€the€word€ð ðmayðð€means€ð ðin€an€appropriateÏcase.ððÌà  àThe€Vice€Chair€said€that€she€had€a€question€about€the€CommitteeÏnote.€€She€commented€that€she€could€envision€a€case€where€a€singleÏinstance€of€ex€parte€conduct€was€sanctionable,€but€the€Rule€seems€toÏindicate€the€conduct€must€be€repeated.€€The€Chair€suggested€that€theÏlanguage€ð ðrepeated€instances€ofðð€should€be€taken€out.€€Mr.€JohnsonÏquestioned€as€to€why€a€ð ðlaundry€listðð€of€categories€has€to€be€in€theÏCommittee€note.€€Mr.€Lemmey€commented€that€the€Commission€would€likeÏfor€the€third€sentence€to€remain€in€the€Rule,€because€it€is€helpfulÏfor€judges€and€the€Commission.€€Judge€Adkins€pointed€out€that€theÏsecond€sentence€pertains€to€a€judge€lying€or€misrepresenting,€butÏnowhere€else€in€the€Rules€is€there€an€indication€that€lying€orÏmisrepresenting€is€sanctionable€conduct.€€Mr.€Johnson€expressed€theÏopinion€that€this€should€be€in€the€Rule€and€not€in€a€Committee€note.€ÏMr.€Sykes€commented€that€this€is€covered€by€the€language€inÐ L-œ(. Ðsubsection€(i)(1)€which€reads€ð ðraises€a€substantial€question€as€toÏthe€judgeððs€fitness€for€office.ðð€€Mr.€Howell€explained€that€theÏlanguage€in€the€Committee€note€is€meant€to€be€illustrative€andÏintended€as€a€guide.€€It€could€begin€with€the€language€ð ðBy€way€ofÏillustrationðð€or€something€similar.€€Mr.€Sykes€suggested€that€theÏCommittee€note€begin€ð ðExamples€of€sanctionable€conduct€include...ðð.€ÏMr.€Johnson€cautioned€that€the€note€should€not€give€the€impressionÏthat€it€contains€every€example€of€sanctionable€conduct.€€TheÏCommittee€agreed€by€consensus€to€Mr.€Sykesðð€suggestion.Ìà  àJudge€Kaplan€expressed€the€view€that€in€the€second€sentence€ofÏthe€Committee€note,€the€word€ð ðmayðð€should€not€be€used.€€The€ReporterÏnoted€that€the€Vice€Chair€had€suggested€that€the€phrase€ð ðrepeatedÏinstancesðð€should€be€deleted.€€The€Committee€agreed€by€consensus€withÏthis€suggestion.€€The€Vice€Chair€suggested€that€the€new€paragraphÏwhich€was€added€to€the€cross€reference€should€be€put€into€theÏCommittee€note.€€The€Reporter€remarked€that€she€had€tried€to€includeÏthe€cross€reference€language€in€the€body€of€the€Rule.€€It€is€really€aÏcross€reference€to€the€Preamble€to€the€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct.€€TheÏVice€Chair€observed€that€the€Style€Subcommittee€can€place€the€crossÏreference€language.Ìà  àJudge€Adkins€suggested€that€the€second€and€third€sentences€ofÏthe€Committee€note€should€be€part€of€the€first€sentence,€so€that€theÏterm€ð ðsanctionable€conductðð€modifies€all€of€it.€€The€Chair€said€thatÏthe€cross€reference€sentence€could€go€first.€€Mr.€Sykes€pointed€outÐ L-œ(. Ðthat€a€problem€with€this€is€that€some€of€the€examples€are€alwaysÏsanctionable€conduct,€and€some€may€be€sanctionable€conduct.€€JudgeÏAdkins€commented€that€attorneys€in€disciplinary€proceedings€have€noÏFifth€Amendment€rights,€and€she€asked€why€judges€should.€€The€finderÏof€fact€assumes€that€if€the€attorney€declines€to€address€an€issue,€aÏnegative€inference€can€be€drawn.€€Mr.€Bowen€pointed€out€that€there€isÏa€difference€between€misrepresenting€a€material€fact€and€failure€toÏcooperate.€€Judge€Adkins€agreed€that€they€should€be€separated.€€Mr.ÏJohnson€observed€that€intentional€misrepresentation€is€alwaysÏsanctionable€conduct€and€should€not€be€in€the€sentence€using€the€wordÏð ðmay.ðð€€The€language€ð ðthe€intentional€misrepresentation€of€a€materialÏfact€during€any€stage€of€a€disciplinary€proceedingðð€should€be€addedÏto€the€first€sentence.€€The€Committee€agreed€by€consensus€to€thisÏchange.Ìà  àThe€Chair€suggested€that€the€language€ð ðfailure€or€refusal€of€aÏjudge€to€cooperate€during€any€stage€of€a€disciplinary€proceedingððÏshould€be€added€to€the€second€sentence€of€the€Committee€note€as€wellÏas€the€language€ð ðimproperly€engaging€in€discussions€with€lawyers€orÏparties€to€cases€in€the€absence€of€representatives€of€opposingÏparties.ðð€€The€last€sentence€of€the€note€would€then€read:€Ïð ðSanctionable€conduct€does€not€include€a€judgeððs€making€wrongÏdecisions€„„€even€very€wrong€decisions€„„€in€particular€cases.ðð€€TheÏCommittee€agreed€by€consensus€to€these€changes.Ìà  àThe€Vice€Chair€moved€that€the€Rule€be€approved€as€amended,€theÐ L-œ(. Ðmotion€was€seconded,€and€it€carried€unanimously.Ìà  àThe€Chair€presented€Rule€16„804,€Commission,€for€theÏCommitteeððs€consideration.€€ÌÓÓÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °ÒÔ‡ X¬?XX X¬?Ôà@÷ ÷ ìàMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆÐ Þ . ÐÌà@  ìàTITLE€16€„€COURTS,€JUDGES,€AND€ATTORNEYSˆÌÌà@÷ ÷ ìàCHAPTER€800€„€MISCELLANEOUSˆÌÌÌà ¸ àAMEND€Rule€16„804€to€provide€for€a€ViceÏChair,€to€expand€on€the€definition€ofÏ"interested€member,"€to€clarify€the€duties€ofÌthe€Executive€Secretary,€to€make€certainÏchanges€to€the€procedure€for€the€appointment€ofÏInvestigative€Counsel,€€to€provide€thatÌInvestigative€Counsel€may€make€recommendationsÏto€the€Commission,€to€expand€on€the€definitionÏof€"quorum,"€and€to€provide€for€confidentialityÏof€the€home€address€of€a€judge,€as€follows:ÌÌÌÐ  ¤ô ÐRule€16„804.€€COMMISSIONÌÌÌ€€(a)€€Chair€and€ò òActingó ó€ò òViceó ó€ChairÐ V¦ ÐÌà ¸ à€€The€Commission€shall€select€one€of€itsÏmembers€to€serve€as€Chair€ò òand€another€to€serveÐ ü L Ðas€Vice„Chair€for€such€terms€as€the€CommissionÏshall€determineó ó.€€ò òIf€the€Chair€is€disqualifiedÐ À  Ðor€otherwise€unable€to€act,€the€CommissionÏshall€select€one€of€its€members€to€serve€asÏacting€chair.ó ó€€ò òThe€Vice„Chair€shall€perform€theÐ f¶  Ðduties€of€the€Chair€whenever€the€Chair€isÏdisqualified€or€otherwise€unable€to€act.ó óÐ *z  Ѐ€(b)€€Interested€MemberÌÌà ¸ à€€A€member€of€the€Commission€shall€notÏparticipate€as€a€member€in€any€proceeding€inÏwhich€ò ò(1)ó ó€that€member€is€a€complainantò ò,ó ó€ò òor€inÐ ”ä Ðwhichó ó€ò ò(2)ó ó€that€member's€sanctionable€conduct€orÐ vÆ Ðdisability€is€in€issueò ò,€(3)€that€member'sÐ X¨ Ðimpartiality€might€reasonably€be€questioned,Ïincluding€but€not€limited€to€instances€whereÏthe€member€has€a€personal€bias€or€prejudiceÏconcerning€the€judge€or€personal€knowledge€ofÏdisputed€evidentiary€facts€involved€in€theÏproceeding,€or€(4)€the€recusal€of€a€judicialÏmember€would€otherwise€be€required€by€theÏMaryland€Code€of€Judicial€Conductó ó.Ð h¸ ÐÓB+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ °°‹XBÓÌCross€reference:€€See€Md.€Const.,€Article€IV,Ïðð4B€(a),€providing€that€the€Governor€shallÏappoint€a€substitute€member€of€the€CommissionÏfor€the€purpose€of€a€proceeding€against€aÏmember€of€the€Commission.ÌÌ€€(c)€€Executive€SecretaryÌÌà ¸ à€€The€Commission€may€select€an€attorney€asÏExecutive€Secretary.€€The€Executive€SecretaryÏshall€serve€at€the€pleasure€of€the€Commission,Ïò òadvise€and€assist€the€Commission,ó ó€have€ò òtheó óÐ â(2$) Ðò òotheró ó€administrative€powers€and€duties€assignedÐ Ä)%* Ðby€the€Commission,€and€receive€the€compensationÏset€forth€in€the€budget€of€the€Commission.€€ÌÌ€€(d)€€Investigative€Counsel;€AssistantsÌÐ ..~)/ Ðà ¸ à€€ò òSubject€to€approval€by€the€Court€ofÐ ° ÐAppeals,ó ó€ò òTó óò òtó óhe€Commission€shall€appoint€anÐ ’â Ðattorney€ò òto€serveó ó€as€Investigative€Counsel.€Ð tÄ Ðò òBefore€appointing€Investigative€Counsel,€theÐ V¦ ÐCommission€shall€notify€bar€associations€andÏthe€general€public€of€the€vacancy€and€considerÏany€recommendations€that€are€timely€submitted.ó ó€Ð ü L ÐInvestigative€Counsel€shall€serve€at€theÏpleasure€of€the€Commission€ò òand€shall€receiveÐ À  Ðthe€compensation€set€forth€in€the€budget€of€theÏCommission.€Investigative€Counsel€shalló ó€haveÐ „ Ô  Ðthe€powers€and€duties€set€forth€in€these€rules,Ïreport€ò òand€make€recommendationsó ó€to€theÐ H˜  ÐCommission€as€directed€by€the€Commissionò ò,€andÐ *z  Ðreceive€the€compensation€set€forth€in€theÏbudget€of€the€Commissionó ó.€€As€the€need€arisesÐ î>  Ðand€to€the€extent€funds€are€available€in€theÏCommission's€budget,€the€Commission€may€appointÏadditional€attorneys€or€other€persons€to€assistÏInvestigative€Counsel.€Investigative€CounselÏshall€keep€an€accurate€record€of€the€time€andÏexpenses€of€additional€persons€employed€andÏensure€that€the€cost€does€not€exceed€the€amountÏallocated€by€the€Commission.̀̀€(e)€€QuorumÌÌà ¸ à€€The€presence€of€a€majority€of€members€ofÏthe€Commission€constitutes€a€quorum€for€theÏtransaction€of€business.€€ò òThe€concurrence€of€aÐ Jš Ðmajority€of€members€is€required€for€all€actionÏtaken€by€the€Commission€other€than€adjournmentÏof€a€meeting€for€lack€of€a€quorum.ó ó€€ò òA€quorum€ofÐ ð @  Ðthe€Commission€must€include€one€member€fromÏeach€category€of€membership.€€No€action€may€beÏtaken€by€the€Commission€other€than€adjournmentÏof€a€meeting€for€lack€of€a€quorum€without€theÏconcurrence€of€a€majority€of€members€of€theÏCommission.ó óÐ <&Œ!& ÐÌ€€(f)€€RecordÌÌà ¸ à€€The€Commission€shall€keep€a€record€ofÏall€proceedings€concerning€a€judge.ÌÌ€€(g)€€Annual€ReportÌÌà ¸ à€€The€Commission€shall€submit€an€annualÐ ..~)/ Ðreport€to€the€Court€of€Appeals,€not€later€thanÏSeptember€1,€regarding€its€operations€andÏincluding€statistical€data€with€respect€toÏcomplaints€received€and€processed,€subject€toÏthe€provisions€of€Rule€16„810.ÌÌ€€(h)€€ò òRequest€foró ó€Home€Address€ò òof€Judgesó ó€Ð ü L ÐÌà ¸ à€€Upon€request€by€the€Commission€or€theÏChair€of€the€Commission,€the€AdministrativeÏOffice€of€the€Courts€shall€supply€to€theÏCommission€the€current€home€address€of€eachÏjudgeò ò,€which€shall€remain€confidentialó ó.Ð H˜  Ðò òÌCross€reference:€€See€Rule€16„803€(a).ó óÐ  \  ÐÌSource:€€This€Rule€is€ò òderived€fromó ó€former€RuleÐ Ð  Ð1227A.ÌÌÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` Òà  àRule€16„804€was€accompanied€by€the€following€Reporterððs€ÌÌNote.ÌÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °Òà ¸ àThe€proposed€amendments€to€section€(a)Ïprovide€for€the€Commission€to€select€a€ViceÏChair€at€the€same€time€a€Chair€is€selected,Ïinstead€of€the€current€procedure€which€providesÏfor€an€acting€Chair€if€the€Chair€isÏdisqualified€or€otherwise€unable€to€act.€€TheÏnewer€procedure€is€a€more€efficient€one,€and€itÏis€similar€to€the€one€used€in€the€proposedÏrevised€Attorney€Disciplinary€Rules.ÌÌà ¸ àSection€(b)€is€proposed€to€be€broadened€soÏthat€an€"interested€member"€is€also€one€whoseÏimpartiality€might€be€questioned€and€one€whoseÏrecusal€is€required€by€the€Maryland€Code€ofÏJudicial€Conduct.ÌÌà ¸ àIn€section€(c),€the€duties€of€theÏExecutive€Secretary€are€proposed€to€beÏclarified€to€include€advice€and€assistance€toÏthe€Commission.ÌÌà ¸ àProposed€amendments€to€section€(d)€makeÏthe€procedure€for€the€appointment€ofÏInvestigative€Counsel€parallel€to€the€procedureÐ ..~)/ Ðfor€the€appointment€of€Bar€Counsel€in€proposedÏrevised€Rule€16„712€(a).€€Also,€new€language€isÏproposed€to€be€added€to€provide€thatÏInvestigative€Counsel€can€make€recommendationsÏto€the€Commission.ÌÌà ¸ àThe€proposed€amendment€to€section€(e)€addsÏthe€requirement€that€a€quorum€must€include€oneÏmember€from€each€category€of€membership.€€TheÏconstitutional€amendments€to€Article€IV,€ðððð4AÏand€4B€which€pertain€to€the€JudicialÏDisabilities€Commission€were€approved€in€1996.€ÏOne€of€these€expanded€the€number€of€CommissionÏmembers€from€seven€to€eleven.€€RequiringÏrepresentation€from€each€category€of€membershipÏnot€only€provides€a€more€equitable€decision€butÏis€consistent€with€the€expansion€of€theÏCommission.ÌÌà ¸ àThe€proposed€amendment€to€section€(h)Ïprovides€for€the€judge's€home€address€to€beÏconfidential.€€This€protects€the€safety€andÏprivacy€of€the€judge.ÌÌÔ#† X¬?XX X¬?Ch#ÔÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` ÒÓÓà  àMr.€Lemmey€pointed€out€that€the€language€at€the€end€of€sectionÏ(h)€which€reads€ð ðwhich€shall€remain€confidentialðð€should€be€taken€outÏand€moved€to€Rule€16„810,€Confidentiality.€€The€Committee€agreed€byÏconsensus€with€this€suggestion.€€There€being€no€other€changes,€JudgeÏKaplan€moved€to€adopt€the€Rule€as€amended,€the€motion€was€seconded,Ïand€it€passed€unanimously.Ìà  àThe€Chair€presented€Rule€16„805,€Complaints;€PreliminaryÏInvestigations,€for€the€Committeeððs€consideration.€€ÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °ÒÓÓÌÔ‡ X¬?XX X¬?Ôà@÷ ÷ ìàMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆÐ Ä)%* ÐÌà@  ìàTITLE€16€„€COURTS,€JUDGES,€AND€ATTORNEYSˆÌÌà@÷ ÷ ìàCHAPTER€800€„€MISCELLANEOUSˆÌÐ ..~)/ Їà ¸ àAMEND€Rule€16„805€to€make€certain€changesÏto€the€notice€that€is€sent€to€a€complainantÏunder€certain€circumstances,€to€change€theÏrequirements€for€dismissal€of€a€complaint,€toÏclarify€the€procedure€for€an€inquiry,€toÏrestate€the€objective€of€aÌpreliminary€investigation,€to€provide€that€theÏjudge€be€notified€of€the€contents€of€theÏcomplaint,€and€to€provide€for€an€extensionÌof€time€for€completing€the€preliminaryÏinvestigation,€and€to€make€certain€clarifyingÏand€stylistic€changes,€as€follows:ÌÌÌRule€16„805.€€COMPLAINTS;€PRELIMINARYÏINVESTIGATIONSÌà ¸ àÌÌ€€(a)€€ComplaintsÌÌà ¸ à€€All€ò òcomplaintsó ó€against€a€judge€shall€beÐ X¨ Ðsent€to€Investigative€Counsel.€€InvestigativeÏCounsel€shall€number€and€open€a€file€on€eachÏò òcomplaintó ó€received€ò òthat€complies€with€Rule€16„Ð þN Ð803€(f)ó ó€and€promptly€in€writing€shall€(1)Ð à0 Ðacknowledge€receipt€of€the€complaint€and€(2)Ïexplain€to€the€complainant€the€procedure€forÏinvestigating€and€processing€the€complaint.€ÏUpon€receiving€from€a€person€information€thatÏdoes€not€qualify€as€a€ò òcomplaintó ó€but€indicatesÐ Jš Ðthat€a€judge€may€have€a€disability€or€haveÏcommitted€sanctionable€conduct,€InvestigativeÏCounsel€shall,€if€possibleò ò,ó óò ò:ó ó€(1)€inform€theÐ ð @  Ðperson€providing€the€information€of€his€or€herÏright€to€file€a€complaintò ò;ó ó€ò òandó ó€(2)€if€theÐ ´"" Ðinformation€received€does€not€comply€with€theÏverification€requirement€of€Rule€16„803€ò ò(d)ó óÐ x$È$ Ðò ò(f)ó ó,€(A)€inform€the€person€providing€theÐ Z%ª % Ðinformation€that€the€complaint€must€be€verifiedÏand€(B)€provide€to€the€person€the€appropriateÏform€of€affidavitò ò;€and€(3)€inform€the€personÐ (P#( Ðproviding€the€information€that€if€a€ò òcomplaintó óÐ â(2$) Ðthat€complies€with€the€requirements€of€thisÏsection€is€not€filed€within€30€days€after€theÏdate€of€the€notice,€Investigative€Counsel€isÏnot€required€to€take€action,€and€the€ò òcomplaintó óÐ j,º'- Ðmay€be€dismissedó ó.Ð L-œ(. Ðò òÓÍÌÓÐ ..~)/ ÐQuery€to€Committee:€€€€€ÌÌà ¸ à(1)€€The€word€"complaint"€is€used€in€thisÏsection€(and€elsewhere)€to€mean€both€somethingÏthat€complies€with€the€requirements€of€Rule€16„¼803€(f)€and€something€else€in€writing€that€doesÏnot€meet€those€requirements.€€Should€aÏdifferent€term€be€used€for€the€"somethingÏelse,"€such€as€"a€written€communicationÏcontaining€allegations€against€a€judge"€orÏ"written€allegations"?€€Should€the€definitionÏof€"complainant"€in€Rule€16„803€(e)€be€amendedÏto€include€a€person€who€has€filed€a€"somethingÏelse,"€as€well€as€a€person€who€has€filed€aÏ"complaint"?ó óÐ ˆØ  ÐÌà ¸ àò ò(2)€€Subparagraph€(a)(3)€requiresÐ ð@  ÐInvestigative€Counsel€to€provide€a€certainÏnotice€to€a€person€who€has€filed€"somethingÏelse"€„„€does€the€Committee€wish€to€add€aÏprovision€elsewhere€in€the€Rule€to€implementÏthe€substance€of€the€notice?ÌÌà ¸ à(3)€€A€notice€to€the€complainantÏconcerning€confidentiality€has€been€added€toÏRule€16„810€(a)(2).€€Should€that€notice€beÏmoved€to€this€Rule?€€Also,€should€there€be€aÏprovision€added€somewhere€that€allows€theÏsanction€of€dismissal€to€be€imposed€inÏaccordance€with€the€notice?ó óÐ d ÐÌÓÍÌÓ€€ò ò(b)€Dismissal€Without€Inquiryó óÐ |Ì ÐÌà ¸ à€€ò òIf€Investigative€Counsel€concludes€thatÐ @! Ðthe€ò òcomplaintó ó€does€not€allege€facts€thatÐ "r" Ðconstitute€sanctionable€conduct€or€disabilityÏand€that€no€reasonable€grounds€exist€to€conductÏa€preliminary€investigation,€InvestigativeÏCounsel€shall€dismiss€the€ò òcomplaintó ó€and€notifyÐ ª ú& Ðthe€complainant,€the€Commission,€and,€uponÏrequest,€the€judge€that€the€ò òcomplaintó ó€has€beenÐ n"¾( Ðdismissed.ÌÌ€€(c)€€InquiryÌÌà ¸ à€€Upon€receiving€information€from€aÏcomplainant€or€from€any€other€source€indicatingÏthat€a€judge€may€have€a€disability€or€may€haveÏcommitted€sanctionable€conduct,€InvestigativeÏCounsel€may€make€an€inquiry.€€Following€theÏinquiry,€Investigative€Counsel€shall€dismissÏthe€ò òcomplaintó ó€in€conformity€with€section€(b)€ofÐ $,t'3 Ðthis€Rule€or€shall€promptly€number€the€matterÏas€a€complaint€and€undertake€a€preliminaryÐ è-8)5 Ðinvestigation€in€accordance€with€section€(d)€ofÏthis€Rule.ÌÌCommittee€note:€An€inquiry€may€includeÏobtaining€additional€information€from€theÏcomplainant,€reviewing€public€records,Ïobtaining€transcripts€of€court€proceedings,€andÏcommunicating€informally€with€the€judge.ó óÐ Þ . ÐÌ€€ò ò(b)ó ó€ò ò(d)ó ó€Preliminary€InvestigationÐ ¢ ò  ÐÌ€€€€(1)€€ò òIf€Investigative€Counsel€concludesÐ f¶  Ðthat€the€complaint€is€frivolous€on€its€face,ÏInvestigative€Counsel€shall€dismiss€theÏcomplaint€and€notify€the€complainant,€theÏCommission,€and,€upon€request,€the€judge€of€theÏaction.ó ó€€ò òOtherwise,ó ó€ò òIf€a€complaint€is€notÐ Ð  Ðdismissed€in€accordance€with€section€(b)€or€(c)Ïof€this€Rule,ó ó€Investigative€Counsel€shallÐ ”ä Ðconduct€a€preliminary€investigation€toÏdetermine€whether€reasonable€grounds€exist€toÏbelieve€ò òthe€allegations€of€the€complaintó ó€ò òthatÐ :Š Ðthe€judge€may€have€a€disability€or€may€haveÏcommitted€sanctionable€conduct.€€InvestigativeÏCounsel€shall€promptly€inform€the€CommissionÏthat€the€preliminary€investigation€is€beingÏundertaken.ó óÐ ¤ô ÐÌ€€€€ò ò(2)€€Upon€receipt€of€information€from€anyÐ h¸ Ðsource€indicating€that€a€judge€has€a€disabilityÏor€has€committed€sanctionable€conduct,ÏInvestigative€Counsel,€without€a€complaint,€mayÏmake€an€inquiry€and,€following€the€inquiry,€mayÏundertake€a€preliminary€investigation.€ÏInvestigative€Counsel€shall€number€and€open€aÏfile€on€each€preliminary€investigationÏundertaken€under€this€subsection€and€shallÏpromptly€inform€the€Commission€that€theÏinvestigation€is€being€undertaken.ó óÐ <&Œ!& ÐÌ€€€€ò ò(3)ó ó€ò ò(2)ó ó€€Upon€application€by€InvestigativeÐ (P#( ÐCounsel€and€for€good€cause,€the€Commission€mayÏauthorize€Investigative€Counsel€to€issue€aÏsubpoena€to€obtain€evidence€during€aÏpreliminary€investigation.Ì€€€€ò ò(4)ó ó€ò ò(3)ó ó€€Unless€directed€otherwise€by€theÐ j,º'- ÐCommission€for€good€cause,€ò òInvestigativeÐ L-œ(. ÐCounsel,ó ó€before€the€conclusion€of€theÐ ..~)/ Ðpreliminary€investigation,€ò òInvestigativeÐ ° ÐCounseló ó€shall€notify€the€judge€who€is€theÐ ’â Ðsubject€of€the€investigation€(A)€thatÏInvestigative€Counsel€has€undertaken€aÏpreliminary€investigation€into€whether€theÏjudge€has€a€disability€or€has€committedÏsanctionable€conduct;€(B)€whether€theÏpreliminary€investigation€was€undertaken€onÏInvestigative€Counsel's€initiative€or€on€aÏcomplaint;€(C)€if€the€investigation€wasÏundertaken€on€a€complaint,€of€the€name€of€theÏperson€who€filed€the€complaint€ò òand€the€contentsÐ f¶  Ðof€the€complaintó ó;€(D)€of€the€nature€of€theÐ H˜  Ðdisability€or€sanctionable€conduct€underÏinvestigation;€and€(E)€ò òthat€before€theÐ  \  Ðpreliminary€investigation€is€concluded,€theÏjudge€may€present€to€Investigative€Counsel,€inÏperson€or€in€writing,€any€information€the€judgeÏmay€wish€to€presentó ó€ò òof€the€judge's€rights€underÐ ”ä Ðsubsection€(d)(4)€of€this€Ruleó ó.€The€noticeÐ vÆ Ðshall€be€given€by€first€class€mail€ò òandó ó€ò òoró ó€byÐ X¨ Ðcertified€mail€requesting€"Restricted€DeliveryÏ„„€show€to€whom,€date,€address€of€delivery"Ïaddressed€to€the€judge€at€the€judge's€ò òlastÐ þN Ðknown€home€addressó ó€ò òaddress€of€recordó ó.Ð à0 ÐÌ€€€€ò ò(5)ó ó€ò ò(4)ó ó€€Before€the€conclusion€of€theÐ ¤ô Ðpreliminary€investigation€ò òand€in€accordanceÐ †Ö Ðwith€the€noticeó ó,€Investigative€Counsel€shallÐ h¸ Ðafford€the€judge€a€reasonable€opportunity€toÏpresent,€in€person€or€in€writing,€suchÏinformation€as€the€judge€chooses€ò òto€presentó ó.Ð  ^ ÐÌ€€€€ò ò(6)ó ó€ò ò(5)ó ó€€ò òUnless€the€time€is€extended€by€theÐ Ò!"! ÐCommission€for€good€cause,ó ó€InvestigativeÐ ´"" ÐCounsel€shall€complete€a€preliminary€Ìinvestigation€ò ò(A)€undertaken€as€the€result€of€aÐ x$È$ Ðcomplaint€within€60€days€after€receiving€theÏcomplaint€and€(B)€undertaken€on€the€Ìinitiative€of€Investigative€Counseló ó€within€ò ò60ó óÐ 'n"' Ðò ò90ó ó€days€after€the€investigation€is€commenced.€Ð (P#( Ðò òUpon€application€by€Investigative€CounselÐ â(2$) Ðwithin€the€90„day€period€and€for€good€cause,Ïthe€Commission€shall€extend€the€time€forÏcompleting€the€preliminary€investigation€for€anÏadditional€30„day€period.€€For€failure€toÏcomply€with€the€time€requirements€of€thisÏsection,€the€Commission€may€dismiss€anyÐ ..~)/ Ðcomplaint€and€terminate€the€investigation.ó óÐ ° ÐÌ€€ò ò(c)ó ó€ò ò(e)ó ó€€Recommendation€by€InvestigativeÐ tÄ ÐCounselÌÌà ¸ à€€ò òUpon€the€conclusion€ofó ó€ò òWithin€the€timeÐ  j Ðfor€completingó ó€a€preliminary€investigation,Ð ü L ÐInvestigative€Counsel€shall€report€the€resultsÏof€the€investigation€ò òto€the€Commissionó ó€in€ò òsuchó óÐ À  Ðò òtheó ó€form€ò òasó ó€ò òtható ó€the€Commission€requires.€ò òAsÐ ¢ ò  Ðpart€of€the€reportó ó€Investigative€Counsel€shallÐ „ Ô  Ðrecommend€ò òtható ó€ò òone€of€the€following:ó ó€€(1)€anyÐ f¶  Ðcomplaint€be€dismissed€and€the€investigationÏterminated,€(2)€the€judge€be€offered€a€privateÏreprimand€ò òby€the€Commissionó ó€or€a€deferredÐ  \  Ðdiscipline€agreement,€(3)€the€CommissionÏauthorize€a€further€investigation,€or€(4)Ïcharges€be€filed€against€the€judge€ò òand€theÐ ² ÐCommission€conduct€a€formal€proceeding€on€theÏchargesó ó.Ð vÆ ÐÌSource:€This€Rule€is€ò òderived€fromó ó€former€RuleÐ :Š Ð1227B.ÌÌÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` Òà  àRule€16„805€was€accompanied€by€the€following€ReporterððsÌÌNote.ÌÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °Òà ¸ àThe€proposed€amendment€to€section€(a)€addsÏlanguage€clarifying€that€a€complaint€against€aÏjudge€must€comply€with€the€definition€in€RuleÏ16„803€(f).€€There€is€also€language€addedÏproviding€for€notice€to€the€complainant€that€ifÏthe€complaint€does€not€comply€with€theÏrequirements€of€the€Rule€within€30€days€afterÏthe€date€of€notice,€Investigative€Counsel€mayÏdismiss€the€complaint.€€This€is€intended€toÏhelp€keep€the€system€moving€efficiently,€andÏavoid€the€pitfalls€of€a€complaint€being€filedÏso€late€that€it€is€difficult€for€InvestigativeÏCounsel€to€prosecute€and€for€the€judge€toÏdefend.ÌÌà ¸ àIn€proposed€new€section€(b),€DismissalÏWithout€Inquiry,€the€standard€for€dismissal€ofÏthe€complaint€without€inquiry€or€investigationÏis€changed€from€"frivolous€on€its€face"€toÐ ..~)/ Ð"does€not€allege€facts€that€constituteÏsanctionable€conduct€or€disability€and€that€noÏreasonable€grounds€exist€to€conduct€aÏpreliminary€investigation."€€This€is€a€clearerÏdefinition€as€it€refers€to€ð ðdisability,ðð€whichÏis€defined€in€Rule€16„803€(g),€andÏ"sanctionable€conduct,"€which€is€defined€inÏRule€16„803€(i).€ÌÌà ¸ àProposed€new€section€(c),€Inquiry,Ïclarifies€the€intent€of€current€subsectionÏ(b)(1)€that€Investigative€Counsel€may€initiateÏan€inquiry€upon€receiving€information€from€theÏcomplainant,€as€well€as€from€any€other€source.€ÏFollowing€an€inquiry,€Investigative€CounselÏmust€either€dismiss€the€complaint€or€proceedÏwith€a€preliminary€investigation.€€A€CommitteeÏnote€sets€out€examples€of€actions€thatÏInvestigative€Counsel€may€take€during€anÏinquiry.ÌÌà ¸ àIf€a€complaint€is€not€dismissed€inÏaccordance€with€section€(b)€or€(c),ÏInvestigative€Counsel€must€conduct€aÏpreliminary€investigation€in€accordance€withÏsection€(d).€€In€the€proposed€amendment,€theÏobjective€of€the€preliminary€investigation€isÏrestated€from€a€determination€of€ð ðwhetherÏreasonable€grounds€exist€to€believe€theÏallegations€of€the€complaintðð€to€ð ðwhetherÏreasonable€grounds€exist€to€believe€that€theÏjudge€may€have€a€disability€or€may€haveÏcommitted€sanctionable€conduct.ððÌÌà ¸ àIn€subsection€(d)(3),€the€proposed€changeÏadds€to€the€notification€that€is€sent€to€theÏjudge€a€statement€of€the€contents€of€theÏcomplaint€which€was€filed.€€The€CommitteeÏrecommends€deleting€the€duplicative€language€inÏpart€(E)€and€instead€cross„referencingÏsubsection€(d)(4)€where€the€same€languageÏappears.€€The€change€at€the€end€of€theÏsubsection€uses€the€new€definition€of€"addressÏof€record"€to€specify€where€the€notice€is€to€beÏsent.ÌÌà ¸ àThe€proposed€amendment€to€subsectionÏ(d)(4)€contains€stylistic€changes€only.Ð ..~)/ Їà ¸ àIn€subsection€(d)(5)€the€time€forÏcompleting€the€preliminary€investigation€isÏproposed€to€be€extended€to€90€days,€with€aÏpossible€extension€of€time€for€completing€theÏpreliminary€investigation€for€an€additional€30„¼day€period.€€Previously,€no€limit€was€placed€onÏan€extension.€€Imposing€a€limitation€will€setÏsome€boundaries€as€to€how€much€time€theÏinvestigation€should€take.€€At€the€request€ofÏthe€Investigative€Counsel,€the€initial€timeÏperiod€has€been€changed€from€60€to€90€days.€ÏThe€Committee€also€added€a€new€provision€whichÏallows€the€Commission€to€dismiss€a€complaint€ifÏthe€time€requirements€of€subsection€(d)(5)€areÏnot€met.ÌÌà ¸ àProposed€new€language€in€section€(e)Ïrefers€to€the€time€period€in€the€previousÏsection.€€There€are€also€style€changes€in€thisÏsection.ÌÌÌÔ#† X¬?XX X¬?ˆ#ÔÒ°` ÒÒ°` ÒÓÓà  àMr.€Bowen€noted€that€the€first€query€to€the€Committee€on€pageÐ l Ð11€refers€to€the€two€different€types€of€complaints.€€The€Vice€ChairÏasked€if€the€proposed€Attorney€Discipline€Rules€make€a€distinctionÏbetween€a€written€communication€and€a€valid€complaint.€€Mr.€HowellÏreplied€that€the€distinction€is€made€in€the€Attorney€DisciplineÏRules.€€Judge€Dryden€asked€if€Investigative€Counsel€opens€a€file€ifÏthe€complaint€is€not€a€real€one.€€Mr.€Lemmey€answered€that€ifÏsomething€does€not€qualify€as€a€complaint,€no€file€is€opened.€€HisÏoffice€gets€many€letters€about€how€people€were€treated€by€judges.€Ìà  àMr.€Titus€asked€why€the€word€ð ðcomplaintðð€has€to€be€defined.€ÏMr.€Lemmey€responded€that€his€office€maintains€a€miscellaneous€file.€ÏFor€management€purposes,€a€file€is€opened,€and€then€it€is€dismissedÏat€the€next€Commission€meeting€if€it€does€not€qualify€as€aÐ L-œ(. Ðð ðcomplaint.ðð€€Mr.€Maloney€remarked€that€there€could€be€a€docketingÏsystem€similar€to€the€one€used€by€the€Attorney€Grievance€CommissionÏwhen€no€prima€facie€case€is€made.€€Mr.€Lemmey€explained€that€he€usesÏa€file€entitled€ð ðL.A.ðð€(lacks€affidavit).€€He€opens€a€file,€and€thenÏhe€takes€it€to€the€Commission€to€dismiss.€€Judge€Adkins€pointed€outÏthat€under€the€current€rule,€Investigative€Counsel€can€dismiss€aÏcomplaint€that€is€frivolous€on€its€face.€€Mr.€Titus€remarked€that€aÏletter,€which€is€on€its€face€not€sufficient€to€charge€misconduct,Ïshould€not€be€considered€a€complaint.€€The€Chair€commented€that€inÏthe€attorney€discipline€area,€a€person€turns€in€what€he€or€she€thinksÏis€a€complaint€against€an€attorney.€€If€the€attorney€fills€out€aÏjudicial€application€which€asks€if€there€have€been€any€complaintsÏagainst€the€attorney,€he€or€she€can€answer€in€the€affirmative,Ïexplaining€that€it€was€dismissed.€€Melvin€Hirshman,€Esq.,€BarÏCounsel,€has€stated€that€he€does€not€consider€these€as€complaints.Ìà  àMr.€Lemmey€said€that€he€has€a€small€office€which€has€two€setsÏof€files,€one€for€complaints€with€no€affidavit€attached,€and€one€forÏcomplaints€which€have€met€the€requirements,€but€are€dismissed€forÏother€reasons.€€These€are€not€considered€as€complaints€in€the€contextÏof€a€judicial€nominating€application.€€€€The€Chair€said€that€the€RuleÏmust€give€the€Judicial€Disabilities€Commission€latitude€in€how€itÏoperates.€€Judge€Dryden€suggested€that€the€valid€complaint€could€beÏreferred€to€as€a€ð ðverified€sworn€complaint.ðð€€€The€Chair€added€thatÏthe€real€complaints€comply€with€the€requirements€of€Rule€16„803.€€Mr.Ð L-œ(. ÐMaloney€remarked€that€a€complaint€should€not€be€docketed€unless€itÏwas€sufficient€on€its€face€to€state€a€valid€claim€against€a€judge.€ÏThe€Chair€commented€that€the€procedure€could€be€worked€out€and€doesÏnot€have€to€be€in€the€Rules.Ìà  àMr.€Maloney€asked€how€the€Commission€handles€the€complaint€ð ðtheÏjudge€misapplied€the€law.ðð€€Mr.€Lemmey€said€that€most€of€the€time€heÏis€successful€in€convincing€people€not€to€file€a€complaint€in€thatÏsituation.€€The€Vice€Chair€suggested€that€the€Rule€should€contain€aÏnotice€provision,€possibly€in€section€(b),€to€the€effect€that€if€theÏcomplaint€does€not€comply,€there€will€be€a€dismissal€without€inquiry.€ÏMr.€Lemmey€noted€that€the€third€query€to€the€Committee€covers€this.€ÏThe€current€practice€is€that€the€complaint€that€does€not€comply€goesÏto€an€automatic€dismissal€docket€and€is€dismissed€at€the€nextÏCommission€meeting.€€Ìà  àThe€Vice€Chair€suggested€that€the€answer€to€the€second€query€toÏthe€Commission€as€stated€on€page€11€of€the€proposed€JudicialÏDisabilities€Commission€Rules€is€in€the€affirmative.€€Mr.€SykesÏcommented€that€instead€of€using€the€word€ð ðcomplaintðð€to€mean€theÏinitial€communication,€the€word€ð ðallegationðð€could€be€used.€€AllÏallegations€would€be€sent€to€Investigative€Counsel€and€would€become€aÏð ðcomplaintðð€when€they€meet€the€requirements€of€Rule€16„803€(f).€€TheÏVice€Chair€proposed€that€all€complaints€and€allegations€would€be€sentÏto€Investigative€Counsel.€€The€Chair€stated€that€he€preferred€theÏdistinction€between€complaints€that€comply€and€those€that€do€not.€Ð L-œ(. ÐMr.€Sykes€pointed€out€that€the€definition€of€ð ðcomplaintðð€does€notÏrequire€compliance.€€It€could€be€defined€as€any€allegation€against€aÏjudge,€and€then€in€the€operative€section€before€a€file€is€opened,€itÏcould€provide€that€the€complaint€has€to€comply€with€the€definitionsÏsection.€€Ìà  àThe€Reporter€suggested€the€term€ð ðformal€complaintðð€to€mean€theÏone€in€compliance.€€Mr.€Maloney€proposed€ð ðdocketed€complaint.ðð€€Ms.ÏOgletree€pointed€out€that€the€term€should€be€distinguished€from€anÏallegation,€because€the€person€who€filed€the€initial€communicationÏbelieves€that€he€or€she€has€filed€a€ð ðcomplaint.ðð€€This€is€importantÏfrom€the€standpoint€of€public€relations.€€Ìà  àTurning€to€section€(d),€Mr.€Titus€suggested€that€the€firstÏsentence€could€read€as€follows:€€ð ðIf€a€complaint€is€not€dismissed€inÏaccordance€with€section€(b)€or€(c)€of€this€Rule,€InvestigativeÏCounsel€shall€docket€the€complaint€and€conduct€a€preliminaryÏinvestigation...ðð.€€Mr.€Howell€added€that€from€that€point€on,€theÏcomplaint€could€be€known€as€a€ð ðdocketed€complaint.ðð€€The€ÌVice€Chair€remarked€that€she€did€not€see€a€problem€with€the€wordÏð ðcomplaint.ðð€€Judge€Adkins€responded€that€the€judicial€nominatingÏapplication€is€causing€the€problem.€€Mr.€Maloney€expressed€the€viewÏthat€the€term€should€be€ð ðdocketed€complaint.ðð€€It€would€be€a€problemÏfor€Investigative€Counsel€if€layers€of€filing€requirements€are€added.€ÏMr.€Lemmey€explained€that€he€has€a€staff€of€one.€€He€would€need€someÏway€to€keep€track€of€all€the€paperwork.€€He€has€never€heard€of€aÐ L-œ(. Ðjudge€who€was€dissatisfied€when€his€or€her€case€was€dismissed€after€aÏfile€was€opened.€€€€€€€€€€€€€Mr.€Maloney€pointed€out€that€the€problemÏis€not€how€to€add€more€files,€but€rather€how€to€categorize€them.€€TheÏjudge€should€ñ—ñnot€ñ—ñbe€required€to€ñ˜ñnot€ñ˜ñlist€frivolous€complaints€on€aÏjudicial€nominating€application.€€Mr.€Lemmey€remarked€that€under€theÏcurrent€practice,€a€judge€would€not€list€frivolous€complaints.€€TheÏReporter€added€that€the€judge€may€not€even€know€about€thoseÏcomplaints.€€Mr.€Maloney€noted€that€Mr.€Sykes€had€made€the€point€thatÏfrivolous€complaints€do€not€deserve€docketing.€€However,€it€may€beÏappropriate€to€answer€frivolous€complaints.€€Mr.€Sykes€said€that€itÏis€important€to€distinguish€complaints€which€are€baseless€on€theirÏface€from€complaints€which,€on€their€face,€do€not€allege€sanctionableÏconduct€but€which€should€be€looked€into.€€If€something€is€worthÏlooking€into,€the€complainant€can€be€informed€to€file€a€formalÏcomplaint.€€Ìà  àThe€Chair€expressed€the€view€that€the€name€of€the€laterÏcomplaint€should€be€ð ðformal€complaint.ðð€€Mr.€Sykes€suggestedÏð ðverified€complaint.ðð€€Mr.€Titus€proposed€that€the€initialÏcommunication€should€be€termed€ð ða€communication€alleging€improperÏconduct€by€a€judge,ðð€not€using€the€word€ð ðcomplaintðð€at€all.€€Mr.ÏSykes€suggested€ð ðallegation.ðð€€The€Vice€Chair€remarked€that€theseÏdesignations€are€difficult.€€Ìà  àThe€Chair€suggested€that€the€first€sentence€of€section€(a)€beÏdeleted.€€Mr.€Bowen€suggested€that€the€definition€of€the€twoÐ L-œ(. Ðcomplaints€could€be€put€into€Rule€16„803,€as€follows:€€ð ð(1)€aÏcommunication€alleging€disability€or€misconduct€by€a€judgeðð€and€ð ð(2)Ïa€complaint€meeting€the€requirements€of€the€Rule.ðð€€Mr.€SykesÏobserved€that€the€requirements€should€not€go€into€the€definitionsÏrule,€but€should€go€into€the€operative€rule.€Ìà  àMr.€Lemmey€commented€that€the€first€sentence€of€section€(a)€ofÏRule€16„805€is€necessary,€because€it€says€that€if€a€Commission€memberÏgets€a€complaint,€it€is€mailed€to€Investigative€Counsel.€€The€ChairÏsuggested€that€the€first€sentence€could€read€as€follows:€€ð ðA€personÏwho€wishes€to€complain€about€a€judge€shall€contact€InvestigativeÏCounsel.ðð€€Mr.€Titus€suggested€deleting€the€second€sentence,€but€theÏVice€Chair€responded€that€the€second€sentence€deals€with€the€realÏcomplaint€and€should€stay€in€the€Rule.€€Mr.€Titus€commented€that€theÏword€ð ðcomplaintðð€should€not€be€used€until€a€preliminary€investigationÏis€found€to€be€warranted.€€Ìà  àJudge€Adkins€asked€about€using€the€word€ð ðcomplaintðð€in€sectionÏ(b).€€Mr.€Howell€suggested€that€in€place€of€the€word€ð ðcomplaint,ðð€theÏword€ð ðcommunicationðð€could€be€substituted.€€It€is€not€really€aÏð ðcomplaintðð€until€Investigative€Counsel€so€determines.€€An€inquiryÏenables€Investigative€Counsel€to€contact€the€judge€and€theÏcomplainant.€€Mr.€Sykes€suggested€including€in€section€(b)€ñ™ñ€ñ™ñlanguageÏsimilar€to€the€following:€€ð ðAn€allegation€against€a€judge€shall€beÏsent€to€Investigative€Counsel.€€If€the€allegation€constitutes€aÏcomplaint€as€defined€in€Rule€16„803€(f),€Investigative€Counsel€shallÐ L-œ(. Ðopen€a€file,€promptly€number€the€matter€as€a€complaint€...ðð.€€Ìà  àMr.€Bowen€expressed€the€opinion€that€the€real€complaint€shouldÏbe€titled€ð ðcomplaint.ðð€€Mr.€Titus€disagreed,€because€the€public€viewsÏthe€initial€communication€as€a€complaint.€€If€a€complaint€isÏinsufficient,€it€can€be€docketed€and€dismissed.€€A€judge€would€notÏhave€to€inform€a€judicial€nominating€commission€about€it.€€The€ViceÏChair€inquired€whether€a€judge€has€to€respond€to€something€that€comesÏin€but€does€not€rise€to€the€level€of€a€complaint.€€Mr.€LemmeyÏanswered€that€the€judge€still€has€to€respond.€€Judge€Adkins€isÏconcerned€about€dismissal€without€inquiry.€€The€Vice€Chair€pointedÏout€that€in€this€situation,€the€judge€would€know€about€the€initialÏcommunication.€€Mr.€Maloney€commented€that€the€attorney€disciplineÏsystem€has€a€parallel€procedure.€€Every€complaint€is€not€necessarilyÏdocketed.€€The€goal€is€to€reduce€the€number€of€reportable€events.€€Ìà  àThe€Vice€Chair€said€that€a€consensus€is€needed€as€toÏdistinguishing€the€two€types€of€complaints.€€Mr.€Titus€suggestedÏð ðundocketedðð€and€ð ðdocketedðð€complaints.€€The€Vice€Chair€respondedÏthat€this€is€not€a€good€designation,€because€it€is€not€clear.€€ItÏwould€be€easier€to€distinguish€if€the€initial€complaint€were€calledÏan€ð ðallegation.ðð€€Mr.€Bowen€moved€that€the€two€types€of€complaints€beÏnamed€ð ðcomplaint,ðð€which€is€a€communication€that€a€judge€has€aÏdisability€or€has€committed€sanctionable€conduct,€€and€ð ðformalÏcomplaint,ðð€which€is€a€complaint€meeting€the€formal€requirements€ofÏbeing€under€affidavit€and€signed.€€The€motion€was€seconded.€The€ViceÐ L-œ(. ÐChair€commented€that€this€solves€the€problem€within€the€Rules,€butÏdoes€not€solve€the€problem€of€the€judicial€nominating€applicationÏwhich€asks€ð ðHas€a€complaint€been€filed€against€you?ðð€€Mr.€BowenÏremarked€that€his€proposed€change€is€part€of€a€substantive€rule,€andÏnot€a€judicial€nominating€application.€€Ìà  àThe€Vice€Chair€questioned€whether€the€two€designations€would€beÏused€throughout€the€Judicial€Disabilities€Commission€Rules.€€TheÏChair€noted€that€it€would€work€in€Rule€16„805.€€Mr.€Howell€added€thatÏthe€designation€works€throughout€the€Rules€with€some€adjustments.€ÏMr.€Sykes€pointed€out€that€a€judge€would€have€to€report€a€frivolousÏformal€complaint€which€had€been€dismissed.€€The€Chair€stated€thatÏwhat€is€important€is€that€the€complaint€was€frivolous.€€Judge€DrydenÏadded€that€the€judicial€nominating€commission€would€understand.€Ìà  àThe€Chair€called€for€a€vote€on€Mr.€Bowenððs€motion€to€use€theÏterms€ð ðcomplaintðð€and€ð ðformal€complaint.ðð€€The€motion€passedÏunanimously.Ìà  àThe€Vice€Chair€referred€to€the€Reporterððs€third€query€on€pageÏ11€of€the€Judicial€Disabilities€Commission€Rules.€€The€Reporter€saidÏthat€the€answer€to€the€first€two€queries€were€ð ðyes.ðð€€€The€Vice€ChairÏinquired€as€to€who€would€make€the€request€to€notify€the€judge€thatÏthe€complaint€was€dismissed€as€section€(b)€provides.€€The€judge€mayÏnot€know€about€the€complaint€in€the€first€place.€€Mr.€Titus€observedÏthat€the€judge€does€know.€€The€Vice€Chair€said€that€the€Rule€makes€itÏsound€as€if€the€judge€always€knows.€€The€Reporter€commented€that€theÐ L-œ(. Ðmeaning€of€this€section€is€that€if€the€judge€knows€about€theÏcomplaint€and€the€judge€would€like€to€be€notified€about€itsÏdismissal,€the€judge€should€be€notified.€€It€does€not€mean€that€theÏcomplainant€can€order€that€the€judge€be€notified.€€The€ReporterÏsuggested€that€section€(b)€be€amended€to€add€the€words€ð ðthe€judgeððsððÏbetween€the€words€ð ðuponðð€and€ð ðrequest.ðð€€The€Committee€agreed€byÏconsensus€to€this€change.Ìà  àThe€Vice€Chair€questioned€whether€the€word€ð ðmayðð€in€the€thirdÏline€of€section€(c)€should€be€changed€to€the€word€ð ðshall.ðð€€Mr.ÏLemmey€explained€that€the€Preamble€in€Rule€16„813€provides€that€notÏevery€transgression€of€the€Judicial€Code€of€Conduct€will€result€inÏdisciplinary€action.€€Sometimes€he€receives€information€about€a€ruleÏviolation,€but€the€Commission€chooses€to€take€no€action.€€Mr.€BowenÏnoted€that€the€second€line€of€section€(c)€provides€that€theÏinformation€indicates€the€judge€òòmayóó€have€disability,€and€not€that€theÐ h¸ Ðjudge€òòdoesóó€have€a€disability.€€The€Vice€Chair€suggested€that€theÐ ,| Ðfirst€sentence€be€reworded€to€give€Investigative€Counsel€discretion.€ÏMr.€Sykes€remarked€that€if€the€information€raises€a€question€about€aÏjudge,€it€is€up€to€Investigative€Counsel€to€investigate.Ìà  àMr.€Titus€suggested€that€in€section€(a)€in€the€second€line€onÏpage€11,€the€word€ð ðtheðð€should€be€changed€to€the€word€ð ða,ðð€so€thatÏthe€second€line€reads:€ð ðinformation€that€a€complaint€must€beÏverified...ðð.€€The€Committee€agreed€by€consensus€to€this€change.Ìà  àMr.€Bowen€referred€to€section€(c)€and€asked€what€allows€forÐ L-œ(. Ðdismissal€of€a€complaint.€€Mr.€Titus€inquired€as€to€what€constitutesÏa€complaint.€€Judge€Dryden€responded€that€a€definition€of€ð ðcomplaintððÏhad€been€agreed€upon€by€the€Committee.€€The€Chair€suggested€that€theÏend€of€the€first€sentence€of€section€(c)€should€read€as€follows:€Ïð ð...Investigative€Counsel€shall€close€the€file€and€dismiss€anyÏcomplaint€in€conformity€with€section€(b)€of€this€Rule€...ðð.€€Mr.ÏHowell€commented€that€the€new€language€presupposes€that€a€formalÏcomplaint€or€verified€complaint€has€been€filed.€€The€present€languageÏauthorizes€Investigative€Counsel€to€initiate€a€preliminaryÏinvestigation€without€a€complaint.€€This€is€not€an€intended€omission.€ÏThe€current€language€from€subsection€(b)(2)€of€Rule€16„805€is:€€ð ðUponÏreceipt€of€information€from€any€source€indicating€that€a€judge€has€aÏdisability€or€has€committed€sanctionable€conduct,€InvestigativeÏCounsel,€without€a€complaint,€may€make€an€inquiry,€and€following€theÏinquiry,€may€undertake€a€preliminary€investigation.ðð€€The€possibilityÏthat€an€inquiry€could€result€in€dropping€the€investigation€has€beenÏeliminated.€€The€Vice€Chair€responded€that€the€new€language€did€notÏeliminate€this.€€Mr.€Howell€said€that€Investigative€Counsel€may€hearÏa€reliable€piece€of€information€and€then€begin€an€investigation€afterÏthe€initial€inquiry€without€a€complaint.€€The€Chair€suggested€thatÏsection€(c)€read€as€follows:€€ð ðUpon€receiving€information€from€aÏcomplainant€or€from€any€other€source€indicating€that€a€judge€may€haveÏa€disability€or€may€have€committed€sanctionable€conduct,ÏInvestigative€Counsel€may€open€a€file€and€make€an€inquiry.€€FollowingÐ L-œ(. Ðthe€inquiry,€Investigative€Counsel€shall€(1)€close€the€file€andÏdismiss€any€complaint€in€conformity€with€section€(b)€of€this€Rule€orÏ(2)ñšñ€ñšñ€proceed€as€if€a€formal€complaint€had€been€filed€and€undertake€aÏpreliminary€investigation€in€accordance€with€section€(d)€of€thisÏRule.ðð€€The€Vice€Chair€inquired€about€these€options€when€informationÏcomes€both€from€a€complainant€and€from€another€source.€€Mr.€BowenÏnoted€that€this€ambiguity€can€be€cured€by€eliminating€the€language€ð ðaÏcomplainant€or€fromðð€in€the€first€line,€and€eliminating€the€wordÏð ðotherðð€in€the€second€line.€€The€Committee€agreed€by€consensus€toÏthese€changes.Ìà  àThe€Chair€said€that€the€Committee€note€makes€clear€whatÏInvestigative€Counsel€can€do€at€the€inquiry€level€without€aÏpreliminary€investigation,€including€authorizing€talking€to€a€judgeÏrather€than€writing€a€formal€letter.Ìà  àThe€Chair€drew€the€Committeeððs€attention€to€section€(d).€€TheÏVice€Chair€noted€the€use€of€the€word€ð ðcomplaint.ðð€€The€Chair€saidÏthat€in€section€(d)€it€does€not€matter€if€it€is€a€complaint€or€aÏformal€complaint.€€The€Vice€Chair€observed€that€the€word€ð ðcomplaintððÏincludes€a€ð ðformal€complaint.ðð€€The€Chair€asked€about€the€timeÏperiods€in€section€(d).€€Mr.€Lemmey€replied€that€the€Subcommittee€hadÏlistened€to€the€Commissionððs€concerns.€€Within€reason,€the€timeÏperiods€are€appropriate.€€The€Reporter€pointed€out€that€in€subsectionÏ(d)(5),€the€Commission€may,€but€does€not€have€to,€dismiss€for€failureÏto€comply€with€the€time€requirements.€€The€Vice€Chair€noted€that€thatÐ L-œ(. Ðis€the€only€potential€sanction.€€Investigative€Counsel€can€apply€forÏan€extension€of€time€to€30€days€beyond€the€original€90,€but€someÏcases€may€take€longer€than€this.€€Mr.€Lemmey€remarked€that€a€furtherÏinvestigation€is€possible€which€would€allow€another€60€days€and€aÏreasonable€extension€of€time€past€that.Ìà  àThe€Vice€Chair€moved€that€the€Rule€be€approved€as€amended,€theÏmotion€was€seconded,€and€it€passed€unanimously.Ìà  àThe€Chair€presented€Rule€16„806,€Further€Investigation,€for€theÏCommitteeððs€consideration.€€ÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °ÒÓÓÌÔ‡ X¬?XX X¬?Ôà@÷ ÷ ìàMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆÐ vÆ ÐÌà@  ìàTITLE€16€„€COURTS,€JUDGES,€AND€ATTORNEYSˆÌÌà@÷ ÷ ìàCHAPTER€800€„€MISCELLANEOUSˆÌÌÌà ¸ àAMEND€Rule€16„806€to€add€certainÏprovisions€concerning€the€notice€to€a€judge€ofÏa€further€investigation,€to€provide€thatÌInvestigative€Counsel€must€show€good€cause€forÏa€subpoena€to€be€issued,€to€delete€a€certainÏprovision€concerning€immunity,€toÌprovide€an€extension€of€time€for€InvestigativeÏCounsel€to€complete€a€further€investigation,€toÏprovide€that€the€report€ofÌInvestigative€Counsel€be€completed€within€aÏcertain€time,€and€to€make€certain€clarifyingÏand€stylistic€changes,€as€follows:ÌÌÌRule€16„806.€€€FURTHER€INVESTIGATIONÌÌÌ€€(a)€€Notice€to€JudgeÌÌà ¸ à€€Upon€approval€of€a€further€investigationÏby€the€Commission,€Investigative€Counsel€shallÏò òpromptlyó ó€notify€the€judge€who€is€the€subject€ofÐ ..~)/ Ðthe€investigation€(1)€that€the€Commission€hasÏauthorized€the€further€investigation,€(2)€ofÏthe€ò òspecificó ó€nature€of€the€disability€orÐ tÄ Ðsanctionable€conduct€under€investigation,Ïò òincluding€each€Canon€of€Judicial€ConductÐ 8ˆ Ðallegedly€violated€by€the€judge,ó ó€and€(3)€thatÐ  j Ðthe€judge€may€file€a€written€response€ò òwithin€30Ð ü L Ðdays€of€the€date€on€the€notice.ó ó€€The€noticeÐ Þ . Ðshall€be€given€(1)€by€first€class€mail€ò òand€byÐ À  Ðcertified€mail€addressed€to€the€judge€ató ó€ò òtoó ó€theÐ ¢ ò  Ðjudge's€ò òlast€known€homeó ó€address€ò òof€recordó ó,€orÐ „ Ô  Ð(2)€if€previously€authorized€by€the€judge,€byÏfirst€class€mail€to€an€attorney€designated€byÏthe€judge.€€ò òIf€authorized€by€tó óò òTó óhe€Commissionò ò,ó óÐ *z  Ðfor€good€cause,€ò òInvestigative€Counseló ó€may€deferÐ  \  Ðthe€giving€of€notice,€but€ò òif€notice€isÐ î>  Ðdeferred,ó ó€notice€must€be€given€ò òa€reasonableÐ Ð  Ðtimeó ó€ò ònot€less€than€30€daysó ó€before€InvestigativeÐ ² ÐCounsel€makes€a€recommendation€as€toÏdisposition.ÌÌ€€(b)€€SubpoenasÌÌ€€€€(1)€€ò òIn€a€further€investigation,€uó óò òUó óponÐ þN Ðapplication€by€Investigative€Counsel€ò òand€forÐ à0 Ðgood€causeó ó,€the€Commission€may€authorizeÐ Â ÐInvestigative€Counsel€to€issue€a€subpoena€toÏcompel€the€attendance€of€witnesses€and€theÏproduction€of€documents€or€other€tangibleÏthings€at€a€time€and€place€specified€in€theÏsubpoena.€In€addition€to€giving€any€otherÏnotice€required€by€law,€promptly€after€serviceÏof€the€subpoena€Investigative€Counsel€shallÏprovide€notice€of€its€service€to€the€judgeÏunder€investigation.€€The€notice€to€the€judgeÏshall€be€sent€by€first€class€mail€to€theÏjudge's€ò òlast€known€homeó ó€address€ò òof€recordó ó€or,Ð x$È$ Ðif€previously€authorized€by€the€judge,€by€firstÏclass€mail€to€an€attorney€designated€by€theÏjudge.ÌÌ€€€€(2)€€On€motion€of€the€judge€or€the€personÏserved€with€the€subpoena€filed€promptly€and,Ïwhenever€practicable,€at€or€before€the€timeÏspecified€in€the€subpoena€for€compliance,€theÏcircuit€court€for€the€county€in€which€theÏsubpoena€was€served€or,€if€the€judge€underÏinvestigation€is€a€judge€serving€on€thatÐ ..~)/ Ðcircuit€court,€another€circuit€court€designatedÏby€the€Commission€may€enter€any€order€permittedÏby€Rule€2„510€(e).€€Upon€a€failure€to€complyÏwith€a€subpoena€issued€pursuant€to€this€Rule,Ïthe€court,€on€motion€of€Investigative€Counsel,Ïmay€compel€compliance€with€the€subpoena.ÌÌ€€€€(3)€€To€the€extent€practicable,€a€subpoenaÏshall€not€divulge€the€name€of€the€judge€underÏinvestigation.€€Files€and€records€of€the€courtÏpertaining€to€any€motion€filed€with€respect€toÏa€subpoena€shall€be€sealed€and€shall€be€open€toÏinspection€only€upon€order€of€the€Court€ofÏAppeals.€€Hearings€before€the€circuit€court€onÏany€motion€shall€be€on€the€record€and€shall€beÏconducted€out€of€the€presence€of€all€personsÏexcept€those€whose€presence€is€necessary.ÌÌ€€€€ò ò(4)€The€Commission,€in€accordance€with€Md.Ð ”ä ÐConstitution,€Art.€IV,€ðð4B€(a),€may€grantÏimmunity€from€prosecution€or€from€penalty€orÏforfeiture€to€any€person€compelled€to€testifyÏand€produce€evidence.ó óÐ l Ðò òÌCross€reference:€€See€Code,€Courts€Art.,€ðððð€13„¼401€„€403.ó óÐ Â ÐÌ€€(c)€€Completion€ò òand€Recommendationó óÐ †Ö ÐÌà ¸ à€€ò òUnless€the€time€is€extended€by€theÐ Jš ÐCommission€for€good€cause,ó ó€InvestigativeÐ ,| ÐCounsel€shall€complete€a€further€investigationÏwithin€60€days€after€it€is€authorized€by€theÏCommission.€€ò òUpon€application€by€InvestigativeÐ Ò!"! ÐCounsel€within€the€60„day€period€served€byÏfirst€class€mail€upon€the€judge€or€counsel€ofÏrecord,€and€for€good€cause,€the€Commission€mayÏextend€the€time€for€completing€the€furtherÏinvestigation€for€a€reasonable€time.ó ó€Ð <&Œ!& ÐÌ€€ò ò(d)€€Recommendation€by€Investigative€Counseló óÐ (P#( ÐÌà ¸ à€€ò òUpon€completion,ó ó€ò òWithin€the€time€forÐ Ä)%* Ðcompleting€a€further€investigation,ó óÐ ¦*ö%+ ÐInvestigative€Counsel€shall€report€the€resultsÏof€the€investigation€to€the€Commission€in€theÏform€that€the€Commission€requires.€ò òAs€part€ofÐ L-œ(. Ðthe€report,ó ó€Investigative€Counsel€shallÐ ..~)/ Ðrecommend€that€(1)€any€complaint€be€dismissedÏand€the€investigation€terminated,€(2)€the€judgeÏbe€offered€a€private€reprimand€or€a€deferredÏdiscipline€agreement,€or€(3)€charges€be€filedÏò òand€the€Commission€conduct€a€formal€proceedingó ó.Ð 8ˆ ÐÌSource:€This€Rule€is€ò òderived€fromó ó€former€RuleÐ ü L Ð1227C.ÌÌÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` Òà  àRule€16„806€was€accompanied€by€the€following€ReporterððsÌÌNote.ÌÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °Òà ¸ àIn€section€(a),€the€word€"promptly"€isÏproposed€to€be€added€to€the€first€sentence,Ïconcerning€notification€to€a€judge€that€theÏCommission€has€authorized€a€furtherÏinvestigation.€€A€reference€to€"each€Canon€ofÏJudicial€Conduct€allegedly€violated"€isÏdeleted,€and€the€word€"specific"€added€beforeÏthe€phrase€"nature€of€the€disability€orÏsanctionable€conduct."€€A€30„day€time€periodÏfor€the€judge€to€file€a€written€response€hasÏbeen€added€to€make€the€procedure€moreÏefficient.€€After€concluding€that€first€classÏmail€is€sufficient,€the€Committee€recommendsÏdeleting€the€requirement€that€the€notice€alsoÏmust€be€given€by€certified€mail.€€Instead€ofÏInvestigative€Counsel€being€able€to€defer€theÏgiving€of€notice,€the€Committee€recommends€thatÏthe€authority€to€do€so€should€rest€with€theÏCommission.€€The€Committee€has€substituted€aÏtime€period€of€not€less€than€30€days€beforeÏInvestigative€Counsel's€recommendation€as€toÏdisposition€in€place€of€the€original€more€vagueÏperiod€of€"a€reasonable€time"€before€theÏrecommendation.ÌÌà ¸ àThe€proposed€amendment€to€subsectionÏ(b)(1)€adds€the€requirement€of€good€cause€shownÏbefore€the€Commission€authorizes€InvestigativeÏCounsel€to€issue€a€subpoena.€€The€phrase€"lastÏknown€home€address"€is€changed€to€the€definedÏterm€"address€of€record."€ÌÌà ¸ àSubsection€(b)(4)€is€proposed€to€beÏdeleted.€€Because€the€Commission€may€grantÐ ..~)/ Ðimmunity€at€any€stage€of€the€proceeding€ð"ð€notÏjust€during€the€ð ðfurther€investigationðð€phase€ð"ðÏprocedures€pertaining€to€the€granting€ofÏimmunity€by€the€Commission€are€now€set€out€inÏsection€(b)€of€proposed€new€Rule€16„810.1,ÏImmunity.ÌÌà ¸ àSection€(c)€is€rewritten€to€add€theÏrequirement€that€if€additional€time€is€neededÏto€complete€a€further€investigation,ÏInvestigative€Counsel€is€to€file€an€applicationÏwith€the€Commission€requesting€an€extensionÏwithin€the€original€60„day€period€allowed€forÏthe€further€investigation.ÌÌà ¸ àThe€provisions€of€current€section€(c)Ïpertaining€to€the€report€of€InvestigativeÏCounsel€are€moved€to€a€new€section€(d).€ÏLanguage€is€added€to€clarify€that€InvestigativeÏCounsel's€recommendations€are€to€be€part€of€theÏreport€to€the€Commission€and€that€the€report,Ïincluding€recommendations,€be€given€to€theÏCommission€within€the€time€allowed€forÏcompletion€of€the€further€investigation.Ô#† X¬?XX X¬?^#ÔÐ þN ÐÌÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` ÒÓÓà  àThe€Vice€Chair€pointed€out€that€the€notice€to€the€judge€isÏgiven€by€first€class€mail,€but€the€service€by€certified€mail€has€beenÏtaken€out.€€She€asked€why€this€was€removed€from€section€(a)€of€RuleÏ16„806,€but€was€not€taken€out€of€Rule€16„805€(d)(3).€€Mr.€LemmeyÏresponded€that€the€prior€provision€is€the€judgeððs€first€notice.€€TheÏVice€Chair€asked€why€certified€mail€is€necessary€in€the€prior€rule,Ïand€Mr.€Lemmey€answered€that€it€establishes€that€the€notice€wasÏreceived.€€Judge€Dryden€commented€that€the€judge€will€already€knowÏabout€serious€charges.€€He€asked€if€there€should€be€an€outer€limit€onÏthe€reasonable€time€standard€for€a€further€investigation.€€The€ChairÏsuggested€that€it€could€extend€to€a€date€certain.€€Mr.€Titus€proposedÐ L-œ(. Ðone€or€more€60„day€periods.€€Mr.€Howell€pointed€out€that€theÏSubcommittee€was€of€the€opinion€that€the€time€periods€should€beÏcapped,€so€the€process€does€not€go€on€forever.€€There€is€no€sanctionÏfor€an€endless€time€period.€€The€judge€is€in€the€spotlight€and€has€aÏright€to€have€the€matter€completed€expediently.Ìà  àMr.€Titus€suggested€that€at€the€end€of€section€(c)€in€place€ofÏthe€language€ð ðfor€a€reasonable€timeðð,€a€time€limit€should€be€added.€€ÏJudge€Vaughan€expressed€the€view€that€it€might€be€better€to€leave€itÏopen€to€cover€the€situation€where€a€judge€absconds.€€€The€ChairÏcommented€that€the€Commission€can€take€care€of€this€situation.€€Ìà  àJudge€Adkins€noted€that€in€both€Rules€16„805€(d)(5)€and€16„806Ï(c),€Investigative€Counsel€may€apply€to€the€Commission€for€a€timeÏextension.€€Since€the€Commission€meets€once€a€month,€Judge€AdkinsÏexpressed€her€concern€that€the€period€for€investigation€may€have€toÏbe€extended€further.€€These€provisions€could€be€read€by€attorneys€toÏmean€that€the€decision€to€extend€must€be€made€at€a€CommissionÏmeeting.€€The€Vice€Chair€commented€that€other€rules€allow€timeÏextensions€outside€of€the€time€provided.€€Judge€Adkins€remarked€thatÏthe€Committee€already€discussed€that€it€may€take€90€to€100€days€toÏget€a€transcript.€€Judge€Dryden€observed€that€a€judge€underÏinvestigation€wants€the€proceedings€to€move€quickly.€€€Mr.€JohnsonÏremarked€that€even€if€a€time€period€is€not€met,€there€is€no€sanction.€ÏThe€Vice€Chair€pointed€out€that€subsection€(d)(5)€of€Rule€16„805Ïprovides€that€for€failure€to€comply€with€the€time€requirements,€theÐ L-œ(. ÐCommission€may€dismiss€any€complaint€and€terminate€the€investigation.€ÏShe€suggested€that€the€same€language€be€added€to€section€(c)€of€RuleÏ16„806.€€The€Committee€agreed€by€consensus€to€make€this€change.Ìà  àThe€Vice€Chair€moved€that€in€both€subsection€(d)(5)€of€Rule€16„¼805€and€section€(c)€of€Rule€16„806,€language€be€added€permittingÏInvestigative€Counsel€to€file€outside€of€the€time€frame€if€there€isÏgood€cause.€€The€motion€was€seconded,€and€it€did€not€pass€on€a€voteÏof€two€in€favor,€four€opposed.€€The€Chair€commented€that€the€JudicialÏDisabilities€Commission€Rules€protect€the€public.€€A€person€who€doesÏnot€deserve€to€be€a€judge€ought€to€be€removed.€€He€asked€for€anotherÏvote€on€the€Vice€Chairððs€motion.€€Mr.€Howell€expressed€hisÏdisagreement€with€the€motion.€€€There€are€already€extensions,€andÏthere€would€be€very€few€situations€where€more€time€would€be€needed.€ÏNo€compelling€need€exists€to€further€the€delay.€€The€Vice€ChairÏhypothesized€a€situation€where€Investigative€Counsel€would€beÏtemporarily€out€of€work€for€some€reason,€and€more€time€would€beÏnecessary.€€Mr.€Sykes€commented€that€the€Appellate€Rules€have€aÏprovision€to€extend€time.€€Mr.€Howell€remarked€that€the€SubcommitteeÏwas€aware€of€this.€€The€Chair€called€for€another€vote,€and€the€motionÏwas€defeated€with€one€in€favor.€€Mr.€Titus€commented€that€Rule€1„204Ïwould€apply€to€the€extension€of€time.Ìà  àJudge€Kaplan€moved€that€the€Rule€be€approved€as€amended.€€TheÏmotion€was€seconded,€and€it€passed€unanimously.Ìà  àThe€Chair€presented€Rule€16„807,€Disposition€WithoutÐ L-œ(. ÐProceedings€on€Charges,€for€the€Committeeððs€consideration.€€ÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °ÒÓÓÌÔ‡ X¬?XX X¬?Ôà@÷ ÷ ìàMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆÐ V¦ ÐÌà@  ìàTITLE€16€„€COURTS,€JUDGES,€AND€ATTORNEYSˆÌÌà@÷ ÷ ìàCHAPTER€800€„€MISCELLANEOUSˆÌÌÌà ¸ àAMEND€Rule€16„807€to€reorganize€sectionÏ(a),€to€allow€a€judge€to€reject€a€warning,€toÏchange€the€standard€for€admitting€a€reprimandÏin€subsequent€disciplinary€proceedings,€to€makeÏcertain€changes€to€the€required€contents€of€aÏdeferred€discipline€agreement,€to€provide€thatÏthe€terms€of€the€deferred€discipline€agreementÏare€confidential€except€as€provided€in€theÏagreement,€to€state€that€a€deferred€disciplineÏagreement€does€not€constitute€discipline€or€aÏfinding€of€sanctionable€conduct,€and€to€provideÏaÌtermination€provision,€as€follows:ÌÌÌRule€16„807.€€DISPOSITION€WITHOUT€PROCEEDINGSÏON€CHARGESÌÌÌÓB+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ °°‹XBÓ€€(a)€€DismissalÌÌ€€€€ò ò(1)€€Evidence€Fails€to€Show€Disability€orÐ  ^ ÐSanctionable€Conductó ó€€Ð ð @  ÐÌ€€€€€€€€€The€Commission€shall€dismiss€aÏcomplaint€ò òand€terminate€the€proceedingó ó€if,Ð –#æ# Ðafter€an€investigation,€it€concludes€that€ò ò(1)ó óÐ x$È$ Ðthe€evidence€fails€to€show€that€the€judge€has€aÏdisability€or€has€committed€sanctionableÏconductò ò,€or€(2)€any€sanctionable€conduct€thatÐ 'n"' Ðmay€have€been€committed€by€the€judge€is€notÏlikely€to€be€repeated€and€was€not€sufficientlyÏserious€to€warrant€disciplineó ó.€€The€CommissionÐ Ä)%* Ðshall€notify€the€judge€and€any€complainant€ofÏthe€dismissal.ÌÌ€€€€ò ò(2)€€Sanctionable€Conduct€Not€Likely€to€beÐ L-œ(. ÐRepeatedó óÐ ..~)/ Їà ¸ à€€€€ò òIf€the€Commission€determines€that€anyÐ ° Ðsanctionable€conduct€that€may€have€beenÏcommitted€by€the€judge€is€not€likely€to€beÏrepeated€and€was€not€sufficiently€serious€toÏwarrant€discipline,ó ó€ò òTó óò òtó óhe€Commission€mayÐ 8ˆ Ðaccompany€a€dismissal€ò òunder€subsection€(a)(2)Ð  j Ðof€this€Ruleó ó€with€a€warning€against€ò òfurtheró óÐ ü L Ðò òfutureó ó€sanctionable€conduct.€€ò òThe€contents€ofÐ Þ . Ðthe€warning€are€private€and€confidential,€butÏthe€Commission€has€the€option€of€notifying€theÏcomplainant€of€the€fact€that€a€warning€wasÏgiven€to€the€judge.€€At€least€30€days€before€aÏwarning€is€issued,€the€Commission€shall€mail€toÏthe€judge€a€notice€that€states€(A)€the€date€onÏwhich€it€intends€to€issue€the€warning€(B)€theÏcontent€of€the€warning,€and€(C)€whether€theÏcomplainant€is€to€be€notified€that€a€warningÏwas€given.€€The€judge€may€reject€the€warning€byÏfiling€with€the€Commission€before€the€intendedÏdate€of€issuance€of€the€warning,€a€writtenÏrejection.€€If€the€warning€is€not€rejected,€theÏCommission€shall€issue€it€on€or€after€the€dateÏstated€in€the€initial€notice€to€the€judge.€€IfÏthe€warning€is€rejected,€the€warning€shall€notÏissue€and€shall€have€no€effect.€€The€CommissionÏmay€either€dismiss€the€complaint€or€take€anyÏother€action€not€inconsistent€with€these€Rules.ó óÐ ¤ô ÐÌCommittee€note:€€A€warning€by€the€CommissionÏunder€this€section€is€not€a€reprimand€and€doesÏnot€constitute€discipline.ÌÌ€€(b)€€Private€ReprimandÌÌ€€€€(1)€€The€Commission€may€issue€a€privateÏreprimand€to€the€judge€if,€after€anÏinvestigation:ÌÌ€€€€€€(A)€€the€Commission€concludes€that€theÏjudge€has€committed€sanctionable€conduct€thatÏwarrants€some€form€of€discipline;ÌÌ€€€€€€(B)€€the€Commission€further€concludesÏthat€the€sanctionable€conduct€was€not€soÏserious,€offensive,€or€repeated€to€warrantÏformal€proceedings€and€that€a€private€reprimandÏis€the€appropriate€disposition€under€theÏcircumstances;€andÐ ..~)/ Ї€€€€€€(C)€€the€judge,€in€writing€on€a€copy€ofÏthe€reprimand€retained€by€the€Commission,€(i)Ïwaives€the€right€to€a€hearing€before€theÏCommission€and€subsequent€proceedings€beforeÏthe€Court€of€Appeals€and€the€right€to€challengeÏthe€findings€that€serve€as€the€basis€for€theÏprivate€reprimand,€and€(ii)€agrees€that€theÏreprimand€ò òshall€not€be€protected€byÐ Þ . Ðconfidentialityó ó€ò òmay€be€admittedó ó€in€anyÐ À  Ðsubsequent€disciplinary€proceeding€against€theÏjudge€ò òto€the€extent€such€evidence€is€relevantÐ „ Ô  Ðto€the€charges€at€issue€or€the€sanction€to€beÏimposedó ó.Ð H˜  ÐÌ€€€€(2)€€Upon€the€issuance€of€a€privateÏreprimand,€the€Commission€shall€notify€theÏcomplainant€of€that€disposition.ÌÌ€€(c)€€Deferred€Discipline€AgreementÌÌ€€€€(1)€€The€Commission€and€the€judge€may€enterÏinto€a€deferred€discipline€agreement€if,€afterÏò òa€preliminary€or€furtheró ó€ò òanó ó€investigation:Ð l ÐÌà ¸ à€(A)€€The€Commission€concludes€that€theÏalleged€sanctionable€conduct€was€not€soÏserious,€offensive,€or€repeated€to€warrantÏformal€proceedings€and€that€the€appropriateÏdisposition€is€for€the€judge€to€undergoÏspecific€treatment,€participate€in€one€or€moreÏspecified€educational€programs,€issue€anÏapology€to€the€complainant,€or€take€otherÏspecific€corrective€ò òor€remedialó ó€action;€andÐ ð @  ÐÌ€€€€€€(B)€€The€judge,€in€the€agreement,€(i)Ïagrees€to€the€specified€conditions,€(ii)€waivesÏthe€right€to€a€hearing€before€the€CommissionÏand€subsequent€proceedings€before€the€Court€ofÏAppeals,€and€(iii)€agrees€that€the€deferredÏdiscipline€agreement€ò òshall€not€be€protected€byÐ 'n"' Ðconfidentiality€in€any€subsequent€disciplinaryÏproceeding€against€the€judgeó ó€ò òmay€be€revoked€forÐ â(2$) Ðnoncomplianceó ó.€Ð Ä)%* ÐÌ€€€€(2)€€The€Commission€shall€directÏInvestigative€Counsel€to€monitor€complianceÏwith€the€conditions€of€the€agreement€and€mayÏdirect€the€judge€to€document€compliance.€€If,Ð ..~)/ Ðafter€written€notice€ò òby€Investigative€Counseló óÐ ° Ðto€the€judge€of€the€nature€of€any€allegedÏfailure€to€ò òsatisfyó ó€ò òcomply€with€a€conditionó ó€and,Ð tÄ Ðafter€affording€the€judge€a€minimum€15„dayÏopportunity€to€present€any€information€orÏexplanation€that€the€judge€chooses,€theÏCommission€finds€that€the€judge€has€failed€toÏsatisfy€a€material€condition€of€the€agreement,Ïthe€Commission€may€revoke€the€agreement€andÏproceed€with€any€other€disposition€authorizedÏby€these€rules.€€The€agreement€shallÏspecifically€authorize€the€Commission€toÏproceed€in€accordance€with€this€ò òparagraphó óÐ H˜  Ðò òsubsectionó ó.Ð *z  ÐÌ€€€€(3)€€The€Commission€shall€notify€theÏcomplainant€that€the€complaint€has€resulted€inÏan€agreement€with€the€judge€for€corrective€ò òorÐ ² Ðremedialó ó€action,€but,€unless€the€judge€consentsÐ ”ä Ðin€writing,€ò òshall€not€inform€the€complainant€ofÐ vÆ Ðthe€terms€of€the€agreementó ó€ò òthe€terms€of€theÐ X¨ Ðagreement€shall€remain€confidential€and€notÏdisclosed€to€the€complainant€or€any€otherÏperson,€except€as€provided€in€the€deferredÏdiscipline€agreement.€€An€agreement€under€thisÏsection€does€not€constitute€discipline€or€aÏfinding€that€sanctionable€conduct€wasÏcommitted.€ó óÐ †Ö ÐÌ€€€€ò ò(4)€€Upon€notification€by€InvestigativeÐ Jš ÐCounsel€that€the€judge€has€satisfied€all€theÏconditions,€the€Commission€shall€terminate€theÏproceedings.ó óÐ ð @  ÐÌSource:€€This€Rule€is€ò òin€part€derived€fromó óÐ ´"" Ðformer€Rule€1227Dò ò€and€in€part€newó ó.Ð –#æ# ÐÌÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` Òà  àRule€16„807€was€accompanied€by€the€following€ReporterððsÌÌNote.ÌÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °Òà ¸ àSubsection€(a)(1)€is€proposed€to€beÏamended€by€deleting€the€language,€"andÏterminate€the€proceeding"€as€unnecessary€andÏreorganizing€the€provision,€so€that€subsectionÏ(a)(1)€focuses€on€the€situation€where€theÏevidence€fails€to€show€that€the€judge€has€aÐ ..~)/ Ðdisability€or€has€committed€sanctionableÏconduct.ÌÌà ¸ àSubsection€(a)(2)€focuses€on€the€situationÏwhere€the€Commission€determines€that€anyÏsanctionable€conduct€that€may€have€beenÏcommitted€by€the€judge€is€not€likely€to€beÏrepeated€and€was€not€serious€enough€to€warrantÏdiscipline.€€The€proposed€amendment€expands€onÏthe€warning€provision€of€the€current€Rule€byÏadding€that€the€contents€of€the€warning€areÏprivate€and€confidential,€but€the€CommissionÏhas€the€option€of€notifying€the€complainant€ofÏthe€fact€that€a€warning€was€given€to€the€judge.€ÏThe€Subcommittee€recommended€the€addition€of€aÏprovision€that€allows€a€judge€to€reject€aÏwarning,€but€the€Subcommittee€could€not€agreeÏas€to€whether€the€judge€should€be€able€toÏreject€the€warning€in€all€cases€or€only€inÏthose€cases€where€the€complainant€is€to€beÏnotified.€€The€Subcommittee€presented€bothÏalternatives€to€the€Rules€Committee.ÌÌà ¸ àFor€the€reasons€stated€on€pages€8„11€ofÏthe€April€14,€1999€Memorandum€from€theÏCommission€on€Judicial€Disabilities€to€theÏRules€Committee€concerning€proposed€amendmentsÏto€Maryland€Rules€16„803€through€16„813€and€theÏStatement€of€Commission€Member€William€J.ÏBoarman€presented€to€the€Rules€Committee€at€itsÏApril€16,€1999€meeting,€the€Commission€opposedÏboth€alternatives.€€An€additional€concernÏexpressed€about€the€proposed€alternatives€isÏthe€potentially€reduced€utility€of€theÏCommission€warning€procedure€as€a€means€ofÏimproving€judicial€performance€in€the€area€ofÏgender€bias.ÌÌà ¸ àProponents€of€the€amendment€are€concernedÏabout€the€consequences€of€a€warning€that€isÏissued€without€the€judge€having€had€anÏopportunity€to€reject€the€warning€or€a€dueÏprocess€right€to€contest€it.€€Even€though€aÏCommittee€note€following€section€(a)€providesÏthat€a€warning€ð ðis€not€a€reprimand€and€does€notÏconstitute€discipline,ðð€consequences€of€aÏwarning€can€include€the€repetition€of€allÏallegations€(including€unfounded€allegations)Ð ..~)/ Ðin€the€media€when€the€news€of€a€dismissal€withÏa€warning€is€reported€and€the€negativeÏconnotation€of€the€warning€when€an€honorableÏjudge€discloses€it€to€a€Judicial€NominatingÏCommission€and€the€Governor€after€the€judge€hasÏapplied€for€appointment€to€a€higher€court.€€OfÏgreater€import€than€the€impact€of€the€currentÏwarning€provision€on€any€individual€judge€isÏits€chilling€effect€on€the€independence€of€theÏjudiciary€as€a€whole.€€ð ðAn€independent€andÏhonorable€judiciary€is€indispensable€to€justiceÏin€our€society.ðð€€Rule€16„813,€Maryland€Code€ofÏJudicial€Conduct,€Canon€1.€€The€possibility€ofÏwarnings€that€cannot€be€rejected€or€contestedÏbeing€issued€as€a€result€of€judicial€actionsÏthat€may€or€may€not€constitute€sanctionableÏconduct€adversely€affects€the€independence€ofÏall€judges.ÌÌà ¸ àBy€a€vote€of€nine€to€nine,€with€the€tieÏbroken€by€the€Chair,€the€Rules€Committee€votedÏto€approve€the€alternative€that€allows€a€judgeÏto€reject€a€warning€in€all€cases.€€Of€the€nineÏmembers€voting€against€the€amendment,€six€wereÏopposed€to€both€of€the€alternative€amendmentsÏto€subsection€(a)(2).ÌÌà ¸ àIn€section€(b),€a€proposed€amendment€toÏsubsection€(b)(1)(C)€narrows€the€use€of€aÏreprimand€in€subsequent€disciplinaryÏproceedings.€€The€current€Rule€provides€thatÏthe€reprimand€is€not€protected€byÏconfidentiality€in€any€subsequent€disciplinaryÏproceeding€against€the€judge.€€The€proposedÏlanguage€provides€that€the€judge€agrees€thatÏthe€reprimand€may€be€admitted€in€any€subsequentÏdisciplinary€proceeding€against€the€judge€toÏthe€extent€such€evidence€is€relevant€to€theÏcharges€at€issue€or€the€sanction€to€be€imposed.ÌÌà ¸ àSubsection€(c)(1)€is€substantially€theÏsame€as€the€current€Rule€except€that€at€the€endÏof€Part€(B),€the€provision€that€the€judgeÏagrees€that€the€deferred€discipline€agreementÏis€not€protected€by€confidentiality€in€anyÏsubsequent€disciplinary€proceeding€is€proposedÏto€be€deleted€and€a€provision€that€the€judgeÏagrees€that€the€agreement€may€be€revoked€forÐ ..~)/ Ðnoncompliance€is€proposed€to€be€added.€€TheÏSubcommittee€believes€that€the€fact€that€aÏdeferred€discipline€agreement€was€worked€outÏshould€not€be€used€in€a€later€disciplinaryÏproceeding,€but€if€a€judge€does€not€comply€withÏthe€terms€of€an€agreement,€appropriateÏdiscipline€should€ensue.ÌÌà ¸ àSubsection€(c)(2)€is€substantially€theÏsame€as€subsection€(c)(2)€of€the€current€RuleÏwith€style€changes.ÌÌà ¸ àSubsection€(c)(3)€is€derived€fromÏsubsection€(b)(3)€of€the€current€Rule.€€TheÏSubcommittee€has€clarified€that€the€agreementÏincludes€one€for€remedial€as€well€as€correctiveÏaction€and€that€the€terms€of€the€agreement€areÏconfidential,€unless€there€is€a€provision€whichÏstates€otherwise€in€the€deferred€disciplineÏagreement.€€The€Subcommittee€also€added€theÏfinal€sentence€which€provides€that€a€deferredÏdiscipline€agreement€does€not€constituteÏdiscipline€or€a€finding€that€sanctionableÏconduct€was€committed.ÌÌà ¸ àSubsection€(c)(4)€is€new.€€It€sets€out€aÏtermination€provision€consistent€with€currentÏpractice.ÌÔ#† X¬?XX X¬?5#ÔÌÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` ÒÓÓà  àJudge€Adkins€said€that€the€Commission€had€proposed€a€minorÏmodification€to€subsection€(a)(2),€and€a€copy€of€the€modification€hadÏbeen€distributed€to€the€Committee.€€Under€the€latest€draft€of€theÏRule,€the€Commission€felt€that€for€it€to€decide€to€offer€a€warning,Ïit€would€be€backed€into€a€corner€if€the€judgeððs€conduct€were€notÏserious€enough€to€be€sanctionable.€€Adding€a€right€to€reject€theÏwarning€(which€the€Commission€opposes)€would€then€preclude€theÏCommission€from€charging€someone.€€The€Commission€would€never€offer€aÏwarning.€€Under€the€Commissionððs€draft,€if€the€judge€rejects€aÐ L-œ(. Ðwarning,€there€remains€the€option€of€charging€the€judge.Ìà  àThe€Vice€Chair€moved€to€accept€the€Commissionððs€amendment,€theÏmotion€was€seconded,€and€it€passed€unanimously.€€Ìà  àTurning€to€subsection€(b)(1)(C),€Mr.€Bowen€suggested€that€theÏlanguage€ð ðsuch€evidenceðð€should€be€changed€to€the€language€ð ðthat€it.ðð€Ï€The€Committee€agreed€by€consensus€to€this€change.€€€Judge€AdkinsÏcommented€that€the€Commission€disagrees€with€the€limitation€on€theÏuse€of€reprimands.€€They€had€the€impression€that€their€objections€hadÏbeen€overruled€at€earlier€Subcommittee€meetings.€€The€Chair€askedÏwhat€the€limitation€is.€€Mr.€Howell€noted€that€at€the€end€ofÏsubsection€(b)(1)(C),€the€Rule€provides€for€admission€of€a€reprimandÏto€the€extent€it€is€relevant€to€the€charges€at€issue€or€the€sanctionÏto€be€imposed.€€Judge€Adkins€asked€if€ð ðrelevanceðð€means€that€it€hasÏto€be€a€repeat€violation.€€The€Committee€answered€in€the€negative.€€Ìà  àJudge€Adkins€hypothesized€that€a€judge,€who€has€beenÏintemperate€on€multiple€occasions,€may€be€subject€to€a€deferredÏdiscipline€agreement€for€counseling€in€which€the€judge€participates,Ïbut€the€problem€still€exists.€€Would€10€acts€of€intemperatenessÏqualify€for€relevant€evidence?€€The€Chair€said€that€if€a€judge€has€toÏagree€to€later€admissibility€regardless€of€relevance€every€time€aÏreprimand€is€issued,€it€is€not€fair.€€This€is€a€rule€of€relevance.€ÏMr.€Titus€observed€that€a€specific€example€of€relevance€is€persistentÏconduct.€€Mr.€Sykes€remarked€that€the€reprimand€may€not€be€relevantÏto€the€charges€or€the€sanction.€€Judge€Dryden€commented€that€it€isÐ L-œ(. Ðalways€relevant€to€the€sanction.€€Mr.€Sykes€pointed€out€that€theÏsanction€is€one€alternative.€€The€Rule€does€not€say€ð ðadmit€if€it€isÏrelevant;ðð€it€says€ð ðadmit€to€the€extent€relevant.ðð€€If€the€reprimandÏhappened€ten€years€ago,€it€may€not€be€sensible€to€admit€it€in€aÏcurrent€case.€€Ìà  àThe€Vice€Chair€observed€that€this€is€only€relevant€toÏsanctions.€€The€reprimand€is€not€admitted€into€evidence€until€theÏCommission€determines€that€there€has€been€misconduct.€€Mr.€HowellÏsaid€that€this€has€no€bearing€on€the€investigatory€stage.€€UntilÏcharges€have€been€filed,€there€is€no€determination€of€the€relevanceÏof€the€prior€reprimand.€€He€asked€if€the€Rule€should€be€changed.€€Mr.ÏSykes€noted€that€a€reprimand€is€always€relevant,€and€he€asked€why€theÏnew€language€is€needed.€€Senator€Stone€pointed€out€that€the€priorÏlanguage€is€broader.€€The€Chair€said€that€the€reprimands€are€onlyÏused€in€rare€cases,€and€if€the€language€is€removed,€a€judge€will€beÏforeclosed€from€a€relevancy€objection.€€Ìà  àThe€Vice€Chair€moved€to€approve€the€Rule€as€amended,€the€motionÏwas€seconded,€and€it€passed€unanimously.Ìà  àAfter€the€lunch€break,€the€Chair€presented€Rule€16„808,ÏProceedings€Before€Commission,€for€the€Committeeððs€consideration.€ÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °ÒÓÓÌÔ‡ X¬?XX X¬?ÔÐ  â(2$) Ðà@÷ ÷ ìàMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆÌÌà@  ìàTITLE€16€„€COURTS,€JUDGES,€AND€ATTORNEYSˆÌÌà@÷ ÷ ìàCHAPTER€800€„€MISCELLANEOUSˆÌÌÌà ¸ àAMEND€Rule€16„808€to€reorganize€it,€toÏdelete€a€certain€reference€to€the€Canons€ofÏJudicial€Conduct,€to€delete€the€requirement€ofÏservice€by€certified€mail,€to€increase€theÏnumber€of€copies€of€a€response€that€must€beÏfiled,€to€lengthen€the€period€for€the€hearingÏto€be€scheduled,€to€provide€for€a€promptÌhearing,€to€lengthen€the€time€for€providing€aÏlist€of€witnesses€and€documents,€to€makeÏcertain€changes€concerning€discovery,€toÌadd€a€certain€provision€concerning€the€issuanceÏof€subpoenas,€to€add€a€time€requirement€for€theÏfiling€of€a€motion€for€recusal,€to€make€certainÏchanges€concerning€the€amendment€of€charges€andÏresponses,€to€require€the€use€of€the€rules€ofÏevidence€in€Title€5€of€the€Maryland€Rules,€toÏpermit€the€parties€to€submit€proposed€findingsÏof€fact€and€conclusions€of€law,€to€delete€theÏpublicÌreprimand,€and€to€provide€for€a€discipline€byÏconsent€procedure,€as€follows:ÌÌÌRule€16„808.€€PROCEEDINGS€BEFORE€COMMISSIONÌÌÌÓB+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ °°‹XBÓ€€(a)€€ò òHow€Commenced;€Captionó ó€ò òCharges€ó óÐ Ò!"! ÐÌà ¸ à€€After€considering€any€recommendation€ofÏInvestigative€Counsel€and€upon€a€finding€by€theÏCommission€of€probable€cause€to€believe€that€aÏjudge€has€a€disability€or€has€committedÏsanctionable€conduct,€the€Commission€may€directÏInvestigative€Counsel€to€initiate€proceedingsÏagainst€the€judge€by€filing€with€the€CommissionÏcharges€that€the€judge€has€a€disability€or€hasÏcommitted€sanctionable€conduct.€€The€chargesÏshall€(1)€state€the€ò òspecificó ó€nature€of€theÐ ˆ+Ø&, Ðalleged€disability€or€sanctionable€conductò ò,Ð j,º'- Ðincluding€each€Canon€of€Judicial€ConductÏallegedly€violated€by€the€judgeó ó,€(2)€specifyÐ ..~)/ Ðthe€alleged€facts€upon€which€the€charges€areÏbased,€and€(3)€state€that€the€judge€has€theÏright€to€file€a€written€response€to€the€chargesÏwithin€30€days€after€service€of€the€charges.Ì€€(b)€€Service;€NoticeÌÌà ¸ à€€ò òA€copy€of€the€charges€shall€be€deliveredÐ ü L Ðto€the€judge€by€a€competent€private€person€asÏdefined€in€Rule€2„123€(a)€or€by€certified€mail.€ÏIf€it€appears€to€the€Commission€that,€afterÏreasonable€effort€for€a€period€of€ten€days,Ïpersonal€delivery€cannot€be€made,€só óò òSó óervice€ò òofÐ f¶  Ðthe€chargesó ó€may€be€made€upon€the€judge€by€anyÐ H˜  Ðò òotheró ó€means€of€service€the€Commission€deemsÐ *z  Ðappropriate€in€the€circumstances€and€reasonablyÏcalculated€to€give€actual€notice.€€A€return€ofÏservice€of€the€charges€shall€be€filed€with€theÏCommission€pursuant€to€Rule€2„126.€€UponÏservice,€the€Commission€shall€send€notice€toÏany€complainant€that€charges€have€been€filedÏagainst€the€judge.ÌÌCross€reference:€€See€Md.€Const.,€Article€IV,Ïðð4B€(a).ÌÌ€€(c)€€ResponseÌÌà ¸ à€€Within€30€days€after€service€of€theÏcharges,€the€judge€may€file€with€the€CommissionÏan€original€and€ò òsevenó ó€ò ò11ó ó€copies€of€a€response.Ð Jš ÐÌ€€ò ò(d)€€Notice€of€Hearingó óÐ  ^ ÐÌà ¸ à€€ò òUpon€the€filing€of€a€response€or€uponÐ Ò!"! Ðexpiration€of€the€time€for€filing€it,€theÏCommission€shall€notify€the€judge€of€the€timeÏand€place€of€a€hearing.€€If€the€hearing€is€on€aÏcharge€of€sanctionable€conduct,€the€CommissionÏshall€also€notify€the€complainant.€€Unless€theÏjudge€has€agreed€to€an€earlier€hearing€date,Ïthe€notices€shall€be€mailed€at€least€60€daysÏbefore€the€date€set€for€the€hearing.ó óÐ â(2$) ÐÌ€€ò ò(h)ó ó€ò ò(e)ó ó€Extension€of€TimeÐ ¦*ö%+ ÐÌà ¸ à€€The€Commission€may€extend€the€time€forÏfiling€a€response€and€for€the€commencement€of€aÏhearing.Ð ..~)/ Ї€€(f)€€Procedural€Rights€of€JudgeÌÌà ¸ à€€The€judge€has€the€right€to€ò òinspect€andÐ tÄ Ðcopy€the€Commission€Record,€to€a€prompt€hearingÏon€the€charges,€toó ó€be€represented€by€anÐ 8ˆ Ðattorney,€to€the€issuance€of€a€subpoena€for€theÏattendance€of€witnesses€and€for€the€productionÏof€designated€documents€and€other€tangibleÏthings,€to€present€evidence€and€argument,€andÏto€examine€and€cross„examine€witnesses.ÌÌ€€ò ò(d)ó ó€ò ò(g)ó ó€€Exchange€of€InformationÐ f¶  ÐÌà ¸ à€€Unless€ordered€otherwise€by€the€ò òChair€ofÐ *z  Ðtheó ó€Commission€for€good€cause:Ð  \  ÐÌ€€€€(1)€€Upon€request€of€the€judge€at€any€timeÏafter€service€of€charges€upon€the€judge,ÏInvestigative€Counsel€shall€promptly€(A)€allowÏthe€judge€to€inspect€ò òthe€Commission€Recordó ó€andÐ vÆ Ðò òtoó ó€copy€all€evidence€accumulated€during€theÐ X¨ Ðinvestigation€and€all€statements€as€defined€inÏRule€2„402€(d)€and€(B)€provide€to€the€judgeÏsummaries€or€reports€of€all€oral€statements€forÏwhich€contemporaneously„recorded€substantially„¼verbatim€recitals€do€not€exist,€andÌÌ€€€€(2)€€Not€later€than€ò ò10ó ó€ò ò30ó ó€days€before€ò òtheÐ †Ö Ðdate€set€foró ó€the€hearing,€Investigative€CounselÐ h¸ Ðand€the€judge€shall€each€provide€to€the€other€aÏlist€of€the€names,€addresses,€and€telephoneÏnumbers€of€the€witnesses€that€each€intends€toÏcall€and€copies€of€the€documents€that€eachÏintends€to€introduce€in€evidence€at€theÏhearing.€€ÌÌ€€€€ò ò(3)€The€taking€of€depositions€and€otherÐ x$È$ Ðdiscovery€is€governed€by€Chapter€400€of€TitleÏ2,€except€that€the€Chair€of€the€Commission€mayÏlimit€the€scope€of€discovery,€enter€protectiveÏorders€permitted€by€Rule€2„403,€and€have€theÏsame€powers€with€respect€to€discovery€as€theÏcourt€has€under€Title€2,€Chapter€400.ó óÐ Ä)%* ÐÌ€€€€ò ò(4)€When€the€charges€or€any€response€allegeÐ ˆ+Ø&, Ðthat€the€judge€has€a€disability,€the€Chair€ofÏthe€Commission€for€good€cause€may€order€theÏjudge€to€submit€to€a€mental€or€physicalÐ ..~)/ Ðexamination€pursuant€to€Rule€2„423.ó ó€Ð ° ÐÌ€€€ò ò(g)ó ó€ò ò(h)ó ó€€Amendments€Ð tÄ ÐÌà ¸ à€€At€any€time€before€ò òits€decisionó ó€ò òtheÐ 8ˆ Ðhearingó ó,€the€Commission€on€motion€ò òofÐ  j ÐInvestigative€Counsel€or€the€judge€or€on€itsÏown€initiativeó ó€may€allow€amendments€to€theÐ Þ . Ðcharges€or€the€response.€€ò òThe€charges€or€theÐ À  Ðresponse€may€be€amended€to€conform€to€proof€orÏto€set€forth€additional€facts,€whetherÏoccurring€before€or€after€the€commencement€ofÏthe€hearing,€except€that,€if€the€amendmentÏchanges€the€character€of€the€disability€orÏsanctionable€conduct€alleged,€the€consent€ofÏthe€judge€and€Investigative€Counsel€isÏrequired.ó ó€€If€an€amendment€to€the€charges€isÐ Ð  Ðmade€ò òany€later€than€30€days€prior€to€theÐ ² Ðcommencement€of€the€hearing,ó ó€the€judge,€ò òuponÐ ”ä Ðrequest,ó ó€shall€be€given€a€reasonable€time€toÐ vÆ Ðrespond€to€the€amendment€and€to€prepare€andÏpresent€any€defense.€€ÌÌ€€ò ò(e)ó ó€ò ò(i)ó ó€€HearingÐ þN ÐÌ€€€€(1)€€ò òUpon€the€filing€of€a€response€or€uponÐ Â Ðexpiration€of€the€time€for€filing€it,€theÏCommission€shall€notify€the€judge€of€the€timeÏand€place€of€a€hearing.€€If€the€hearing€is€on€aÏcharge€of€sanctionable€conduct,€the€CommissionÏshall€also€notify€the€complainant.€€The€noticesÏshall€be€mailed€at€least€30€days€before€theÏdate€set€for€the€hearing.ó ó€€ò òAt€a€hearing€onÐ ð @  Ðcharges,€the€applicable€provisions€of€Rule€16„¼806€(b)€shall€govern€subpoenas.ó óÐ ´"" ÐÌ€€€€(2)€€At€the€hearing,€Investigative€CounselÏshall€present€evidence€in€support€of€theÏcharges.ÌÌ€€€€(3)€€The€Commission€may€proceed€with€theÏhearing€whether€or€not€the€judge€has€filed€aÏresponse€or€appears€at€the€hearing.ÌÌ€€€€ò ò(4)€Except€for€good€cause€shown,€a€motionÐ ˆ+Ø&, Ðor€suggestion€for€recusal€of€a€member€of€theÏCommission€shall€be€filed€not€less€than€30€daysÏprior€to€the€hearing.ó óÐ ..~)/ Ї€€€€ò ò(4)ó ó€ò ò(5)ó ó€€The€hearing€shall€be€conducted€inÐ ° Ðaccordance€with€the€rules€of€evidence€in€ò òCode,Ð ’â ÐState€Govt.€Art.,€ðð10„213ó ó€ò òTitle€5€of€theseÐ tÄ Ðrulesó ó.Ð V¦ ÐÌ€€€€ò ò(5)ó ó€ò ò(6)ó ó€€The€proceedings€at€the€hearingÐ  j Ðshall€be€stenographically€ò òor€electronicallyó óÐ ü L Ðrecorded.€€Except€as€provided€in€section€ò ò(j)ó óÐ Þ . Ðò ò(k)ó ó€of€this€Rule,€the€Commission€is€notÐ À  Ðrequired€to€have€a€transcript€prepared.€€TheÏjudge€may,€at€the€judge's€expense,€have€theÏrecording€of€the€proceedings€transcribed.ÌÌ€€€€ò ò(7)€With€the€approval€of€the€Chair€of€theÐ *z  ÐCommission,€the€judge€and€Investigative€CounselÏmay€each€submit€proposed€findings€of€fact€andÏconclusions€of€law€within€the€time€period€setÏby€the€Chair.ó óÐ ² ÐÌ€€ò ò(i)ó ó€ò ò(j)ó ó€€Commission€Findings€and€ActionÐ vÆ ÐÌ€€€€€€€If€the€Commission€finds€by€clear€andÏconvincing€evidence€that€the€judge€has€aÏdisability€or€has€committed€sanctionableÏconduct,€it€shallò ò€either€issue€a€publicÐ à0 Ðreprimand€for€the€sanctionable€conduct€oró ó€referÐ Â Ðthe€matter€to€the€Court€of€Appeals€pursuant€toÏsection€ò ò(j)ó ó€ò ò(k)ó ó€of€this€Rule.€€Otherwise,€ò òitó óÐ †Ö Ðò òthe€Commissionó ó€shall€dismiss€the€charges€filedÐ h¸ Ðby€Investigative€Counsel€and€terminate€theÏproceeding.€€ÌÌ€€ò ò(j)ó ó€ò ò(k)ó ó€€RecordÐ ð @  ÐÌà ¸ à€€If€the€Commission€refers€the€case€to€theÏCourt€of€Appeals,€ò òitó ó€ò òthe€Commissionó ó€shall:Ð –#æ# ÐÌ€€€€(1)€€make€written€findings€of€fact€and€Ìconclusions€of€law€with€respect€to€the€issuesÏof€fact€and€law€in€the€proceeding,€state€itsÏrecommendations€as€toò ò€retirement€or€as€toÐ (P#( Ðcensure,€removal,€or€other€appropriateÏdisciplineó ó€ò òthe€appropriate€sanctionó ó,€and€enterÐ Ä)%* Ðthose€findings€and€recommendations€in€theÏrecordò ò€in€the€name€of€the€Commissionó ó;Ð ˆ+Ø&, ÐÌ€€€€(2)€€cause€a€transcript€of€all€proceedingsÏat€the€hearing€conducted€by€the€Commission€toÐ ..~)/ Ðbe€prepared€and€included€in€the€record;ÌÌ€€€€(3)€€make€the€transcript€of€testimonyÏavailable€for€review€by€the€judge€and€theÏjudge's€attorney€in€connection€with€theÏproceedings€or,€at€the€judge's€request,€provideÏa€copy€to€the€judge€at€the€judge's€expense;ÌÌ€€€€(4)€€file€with€the€Court€of€Appeals€theÏentire€ò òhearingó ó€record€in€the€proceedingsÐ ¢ ò  Ðincluding€ò òthe€transcript€of€all€testimony,€allÐ „ Ô  Ðexhibits€and€other€papers€filed€in€theÏproceeding,€andó ó€any€dissenting€or€concurringÐ H˜  Ðstatement€by€a€Commission€member,€certified€byÏthe€Chair€of€the€Commission;€andÌÌ€€€€(5)€€promptly€serve€upon€the€judge€noticeÏof€the€filing€of€the€record€and€a€copy€of€theÏò òCommission'só ó€findings,€conclusions,€andÐ ”ä Ðrecommendations€and€any€dissenting€orÏconcurring€statement€by€ò òaó ó€ò òtheó ó€CommissionÐ X¨ Ðmemberò òsó ó.€€Service€shall€be€made€ò òby€certifiedÐ :Š Ðmail€addressed€to€the€judge's€last€known€homeÏaddress€or,€if€previously€authorized€by€theÏjudge,€to€an€attorney€designated€by€the€judgeó óÐ à0 Ðò òpursuant€to€section€(b)€of€this€Ruleó ó.€€Ð  ÐÌ€€ò ò(l)€€Discipline€By€Consentó óÐ †Ö ÐÌà ¸ à€€ò òAt€any€time€after€the€filing€of€chargesÐ Jš Ðalleging€sanctionable€conduct€and€before€aÏdecision€by€the€Commission,€the€judge€andÏInvestigative€Counsel€may€enter€into€anÏagreement€that€shall€be€made€public€in€whichÏthe€judge€(1)€admits€to€all€or€part€of€theÏcharges€in€exchange€for€a€stated€sanction;€(2)Ïagrees€to€take€the€corrective€or€remedialÏaction€provided€for€in€the€agreement;€(3)Ïadmits€the€truth€of€all€facts€constitutingÏsanctionable€conduct,€as€set€forth€in€theÏagreement;€(4)€consents€to€the€stated€sanction;Ï(5)€states€that€the€consent€is€freely€andÏvoluntarily€given;€and€(6)€waives€the€right€toÏfurther€proceedings€before€the€Commission€andÏsubsequent€proceedings€before€the€Court€ofÏAppeals.€€The€agreement€shall€be€submitted€toÏthe€Commission,€which€shall€either€reject€orÏapprove€the€agreement.€€If€the€agreement€callsÐ ..~)/ Ðfor€discipline€other€than€a€reprimand,€theÏagreement€shall€be€submitted€to€the€Court€ofÏAppeals€for€approval.€€If€the€stated€sanctionÏis€rejected€by€the€Commission€or€the€Court€ofÏAppeals,€the€proceeding€shall€resume€as€if€noÏconsent€had€been€given.€€All€admissions€andÏwaivers€contained€in€the€agreement€areÏwithdrawn€and€may€not€be€admitted€intoÏevidence.€€The€agreement€shall€remainÏconfidential€and€privileged€until€theÏCommission€or€the€Court€of€Appeals€approves€itÏand€imposes€the€stated€sanction€upon€the€judge.ó óÐ f¶  ÐÌSource:€€This€Rule€is€ò òin€part€derived€fromó óÐ *z  Ðformer€Rule€1227E€ò òand€in€part€newó ó.Ð  \  ÐÌÌò òNote:€The€entire€text€of€the€current€rule€isÐ ² Ðshown€in€this€draft;€however,€to€facilitateÏcomparison€of€the€current€text€with€theÏproposed€new€text,€the€current€sections€haveÏbeen€moved€out€of€sequence€in€the€draft.€€TheÏsections€of€the€current€rule€appear€in€theÏfollowing€order:€(a),€(b),€(c),€(h),€(f),€(d),Ï(g),€(e),€(i),€(j).ó óÐ à0 ÐÌÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` Òà  àRule€16„808€was€accompanied€by€the€following€ReporterððsÌÌNote.ÌÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °Òà ¸ àThe€proposed€amendments€to€Rule€16„808Ïinclude€a€substantial€reorganization€of€it.ÌÌà ¸ àIn€section€(a),€the€reference€to€ð ðeachÏCanon€of€Judicial€Conduct"€is€proposed€to€beÏdeleted.€€In€place€of€the€deleted€language€is€aÏreference€to€the€ð ðspecificðð€nature€of€theÏalleged€disability€or€sanctionable€conduct.ÌÌà ¸ àSection€(b)€is€proposed€to€be€amended€soÏthat€the€method€of€service€of€charges€is€up€toÏthe€Commission.€€The€Committee€believes€thatÏthe€retained€language€requiring€the€method€ofÏservice€to€be€ð ðappropriate€in€the€circumstancesÏand€reasonably€calculated€to€give€actualÏnoticeðð€is€sufficient.ÌÐ ..~)/ Ðà ¸ àIn€section€(c)€the€number€of€copies€of€theÏjudge's€response€is€proposed€to€be€increased€toÏ11€because€the€number€of€Commission€members€wasÏincreased€by€Constitutional€amendment.ÌÌà ¸ àSection€(d)€is€derived€from€subsectionÏ(e)(1)€of€current€Rule.€€The€amendment€requiresÏa€hearing€notice€to€be€mailed€at€least€60,Ïrather€than€30,€days€before€a€hearing€unlessÏthe€judge€agrees€to€an€earlier€date.ÌÌà ¸ àSection€(e)€is€substantially€the€same€asÏsection€(h)€of€the€current€Rule.ÌÌà ¸ àIn€section€(f),€the€proposed€amendmentÏadds€the€right€to€a€prompt€hearing€on€theÏcharges.€ÌÌà ¸ àSection€(g)€is€derived€from€section€(d)€ofÏthe€current€Rule.ÌÌà ¸ àSubsection€(g)(1)€is€substantially€theÏsame€as€subsection€(d)(1)€of€the€current€Rule,Ïexcept€the€defined€term€ð ðCommission€recordðð€isÏused€to€describe€the€materials€that€the€judgeÏmay€inspect.ÌÌà ¸ àSubsection€(g)(2)€is€substantially€theÏsame€as€subsection€(d)(2)€of€the€current€Rule,Ïexcept€that€the€time€for€providing€the€list€ofÏwitnesses€and€documents€is€changed€from€10€daysÏbefore€the€hearing€to€30€days€before€theÏhearing€to€give€the€parties€more€time€toÏprepare.ÌÌà ¸ àSubsection€(g)(3)€is€new.€€It€is€patternedÏafter€Rules€16„766€and€16„746€(b)€of€theÏproposed€revised€Attorney€Disciplinary€Rules,Ïand€provides€a€mechanism€to€handle€discovery.ÌÌà ¸ àSubsection€(g)(4)€is€new.€€It€is€patternedÏafter€Rule€16„746€(c),€of€the€proposed€revisedÏAttorney€Disciplinary€Rules.ÌÌà ¸ àSection€(h)€is€derived€from€section€(g)€ofÏthe€current€Rule.€€The€second€sentence€isÏproposed€to€be€deleted€so€that€charges€may€notÏbe€amended€after€a€hearing€has€begun.Ð ..~)/ Їà ¸ àSection€(i)€is€derived€from€section€(e)€ofÏthe€current€Rule.ÌÌà ¸ àSubsection€(i)(1)€is€new.€€It€providesÏthat€subpoenas€are€governed€by€Rule€16„806€(b).€ÌÌà ¸ àSubsections€(i)(2)€and€(i)(3)€areÏsubstantially€the€same€as€subsections€(e)(2)Ïand€(e)(3)€of€the€current€Rule.ÌÌà ¸ àNew€subsection€(i)(4)is€proposed€to€beÏadded€because€of€the€expanded€recusal€provisionÏin€Rule€16„804€(b)€and€to€notify€the€judge€thatÏa€motion€or€suggestion€for€recusal€shall€beÏfiled€not€less€than€30€days€prior€to€theÏhearing.ÌÌà ¸ àIn€subsection€(i)(5),€which€is€derivedÏfrom€subsection€(e)(4)€of€the€current€Rule,€theÏCommittee€recommends€an€amendment€which€wouldÏrequire€the€use€of€the€Title€5€in€hearingsÏbefore€the€Commission.€€After€substantialÏdebate€on€the€issue€of€whether€to€retain€theÏcurrent€reference€to€the€rules€of€evidence€inÏCode,€State€Government€Article,€ðð10„213€(see,Ïe.g.,€pp.€12„16€of€the€April€14,€1999ÏMemorandum€from€the€Commission€on€JudicialÏDisabilities€to€the€Rules€Committee€concerningÏproposed€amendments€to€Maryland€Rules€16„803Ïthrough€16„813)€or€amend€the€reference€to€theÏrules€of€evidence€in€Title€5€of€the€MarylandÏRules€(see,€e.g.,€the€April€19,€1999€MemorandumÏfrom€H.€Thomas€Howell,€Esq.€to€the€RulesÏCommittee€on€revised€Rule€16„808€(h)(5)[nowÏrelettered€(i)(5)]),€the€Committee€by€a€vote€ofÏ13€to€2€recommends€adoption€of€the€proposedÏamendment.€€This€comports€with€theÏrecommendation€of€the€American€Bar€AssociationÏthat€judicial€rules€of€evidence€be€followed€inÏjudicial€disciplinary€proceedings.€€ÌÌà ¸ àSubsection€(i)(6)€is€substantially€theÏsame€as€subsection€(e)(5)€of€the€current€Rule,Ïexcept€that€the€phrase€ð ðor€electronicallyðð€isÏproposed€to€be€deleted.€€The€Committee€believesÏthat€the€expense€of€a€stenographic€record€inÏthe€few€cases€that€reach€the€stage€of€a€hearingÏbefore€the€Commission€is€money€well€spent€inÐ ..~)/ Ðlight€of€concerns€about€the€quality€of€someÏelectronic€records.ÌÌà ¸ àSubsection€(i)(7)€is€new.€€The€initialÏproposed€language€provided€that€the€Chair€ofÏthe€Commission€shall€instruct€the€Commission€asÏto€the€applicable€law€and€that€the€parties€mayÏsubmit€written€requests€for€instructions€at€orÏbefore€the€close€of€the€evidence.€€TheÏCommission€was€not€in€favor€of€this€provision,Ïand€the€proposed€new€subsection€was€redraftedÏto€provide€the€option€that,€with€the€approvalÏof€the€Chair€of€the€Commission,€the€parties€mayÏsubmit€proposed€findings€of€fact€andÏconclusions€of€law.€€This€allows€the€parties€toÏclarify€their€positions€to€the€Commission.ÌÌà ¸ àSection€(j)€is€derived€from€section€(i)€ofÏthe€current€Rule,€with€a€substantial€policyÏchange.€€After€a€lengthy€discussion,€theÏSubcommittee€is€recommending€deletion€of€theÏlanguage€providing€that€if€the€Commission€findsÏby€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€the€judgeÏhas€committed€sanctionable€conduct,€theÏCommission€has€the€option€of€issuing€a€publicÏreprimand.€€The€Subcommittee€was€concerned€thatÏthe€reprimand€is€public€and€may€be€administeredÏwithout€the€judge's€consent,€but€that€the€judgeÏshould€be€able€to€obtain€review€of€it€by€theÏCourt€of€Appeals;€therefore,€the€Commission'sÏpower€to€reprimand€is€conditioned€upon€priorÏreview€by€the€Court€of€Appeals.ÌÌà ¸ àSection€(k)€is€derived€from€section€(j)€ofÏthe€current€Rule.ÌÌà ¸ àSubsections€(k)(1)€through€(k)(3)€areÏsubstantially€the€same€as€subsections€(j)(1)Ïthrough€(j)(3)€of€the€current€Rule.ÌÌà ¸ àIn€subsection€(k)(4),€the€word€ð ðhearingððÏis€proposed€to€be€inserted€before€the€wordÏð ðrecord,ðð€to€distinguish€this€record€from€theÏdefined€term€ð ðCommission€record.ðð€€Also,Ïlanguage€borrowed€from€Rule€7„206€(a)€isÏproposed€to€be€added€so€that€the€subsectionÏmore€clearly€identifies€the€contents€of€theÏrecord€that€is€transmitted€to€the€Court€ofÐ ..~)/ ÐAppeals.ÌÌà ¸ àSubsection€(k)(5)€is€derived€fromÏsubsection€(j)(5)€of€the€current€Rule,€with€theÏservice€provisions€amended€to€refer€to€sectionÏ(b)€of€the€Rule.€€Section€(b)€provides€forÏnotice€by€any€means€the€Commission€deemsÏappropriate€which€is€reasonably€calculated€toÏgive€actual€notice.ÌÌà ¸ àSection€(l)€is€new.€€It€is€derived€fromÏRule€16„782,€Consent€to€Discipline€or€InactiveÏStatus,€one€of€the€proposed€revised€AttorneyÏDiscipline€Rules.€€The€consent€procedure€hasÏworked€very€well€in€attorney€disciplineÏproceedings,€and€its€addition€to€the€JudicialÏDisabilities€Commission€Rules€is€recommended.ÌÌÔ#† X¬?XX X¬?­u#ÔÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` ÒÓÓà  àThe€Vice€Chair€asked€why€the€Subcommittee€is€recommending€theÏdeletion€of€the€service€provisions€in€section€(b).€€The€languageÏð ðreasonably€calculatedðð€is€used€to€acquire€jurisdiction€over€theÏjudge€and€is€very€important.€€Mr.€Klein€noted€that€under€thisÏstandard,€the€Commission€always€has€to€think€about€how€to€giveÏnotice.€€The€Chair€commented€that€a€more€formal€procedure€is€notÏnecessary.€€Mr.€Lemmey€said€that€he€liked€the€initial€change€toÏsection€(b),€and€that€he€could€work€with€any€version.€€€Ìà  àThe€Chair€noted€that€judges€do€not€like€service€by€certifiedÏmail.€€A€judge€can€be€questioned€as€to€the€method€of€service€he€orÏshe€prefers.€€Mr.€Klein€said€that€he€was€not€wedded€to€the€crossedñ›ñ€ñ›ññœñ„¼ñœñout€language,€but€he€asked€if€the€full€Commission€has€to€determineÏthe€method€of€service.€€Mr.€Lemmey€answered€that€it€is€not€necessaryÏthat€the€full€Commission€determine€service,€but€rather€InvestigativeÏCounsel€or€the€Chair€of€the€Commission€can€do€so.€€The€ReporterÐ ..~)/ Ðcommented€that€a€standing€order€may€be€acceptable;€if€there€is€aÏproblem,€the€full€Commission€can€look€at€it.€€The€Chair€suggestedÏthat€the€first€sentence€of€section€(b)€read€as€follows:€€ð ðService€ofÏthe€charges€may€be€made€upon€the€judge€by€any€means€of€serviceÏreasonably€calculated€to€give€actual€notice.ðð€€The€Committee€agreedÏby€consensus€to€this€change.Ìà  àThe€Vice€Chair€questioned€the€reasoning€in€section€(g)€forÏallowing€only€the€Commission€Chair€to€order€otherwise€for€good€cause.€ÏThe€Chair€responded€that€this€is€for€administrative€ease,€rather€thanÏthe€full€Commission€having€to€make€the€decisions.€€The€Vice€ChairÏpointed€out€that€the€introductory€language€to€section€(g)€should€notÏapply€to€subsection€(g)(1).€€Mr.€Sykes€agreed,€noting€that€it€wouldÏmake€no€sense€if€the€Commission€Chair€did€not€allow€the€judge€toÏinspect€the€record€and€copy€all€evidence.€€Mr.€Lemmey€suggested€thatÏthe€introductory€language€could€be€moved€to€a€point€after€subsectionÏ(g)(1).€€The€Vice€Chair€suggested€that€it€go€before€subsectionÏ(g)(2),€and€the€Committee€agreed€by€consensus€with€this€suggestion.€€Ìà  àThe€Chair€pointed€out€that€in€subsections€(g)(2),(3),€and€(4),Ïthe€same€problem€exists.€€The€Chair€of€the€Commission€cannot€takeÏaway€certain€rights€of€the€judge,€such€as€the€right€to€see€a€file€andÏa€witness€list.€€He€suggested€that€the€introductory€language€be:Ïð ðUnless€a€different€schedule€is€established€by€the€Chair€of€theÏCommissionðð,€which€would€indicate€that€the€Chair€only€decides€uponÏthe€schedule.€€The€Vice€Chair€noted€that€this€could€not€modify€all€ofÐ L-œ(. Ðsection€(g)€because€subsection€(g)(1)€does€not€contain€a€schedule.€ÏThe€Chair€commented€that€the€Commission€Chairððs€discretion€toÏestablish€schedules€is€a€matter€of€style.€€Mr.€Bowen€moved€that€theÏintroductory€language€be€deleted.€€The€time€period€in€subsectionÏ(g)(2)€has€already€been€extended,€so€the€Chairððs€discretion€toÏestablish€schedules€can€be€built€into€subsections€(g)(3)€and€(g)(4).€ÏThe€motion€was€seconded,€and€it€carried€unanimously.Ìà  àMr.€Titus€expressed€his€concern€about€a€recent€case€in€whichÏthe€public€notice€of€the€hearing€in€the€òòMaryland€Registeróó€laid€outÐ Ð  Ðthe€details€of€the€entire€case.€€He€asked€if€language€could€be€addedÏto€Rule€16„808€to€make€clear€that€this€will€not€happen€again.€€TheÏVice€Chair€inquired€if€the€current€rule€has€any€language€to€thisÏeffect.€€Mr.€Titus€replied€that€it€does€not.€€The€Reporter€commentedÏthat€the€proceedings€are€open€to€the€public.€€Mr.€Titus€remarked€thatÏa€liberal€reading€of€the€Maryland€Open€Meetings€Act€could€allow€theÏentire€case€to€be€published.€€Senator€Stone€asked€if€the€CommissionÏhearings€are€subject€to€the€Open€Meetings€Act,€and€Judge€VaughanÏanswered€that€they€are€not.€€Mr.€Titus€said€that€they€are€open€byÏrule.€€He€expressed€the€view€that€the€only€information€that€should€beÏin€the€òòMaryland€Registeróó€is€just€a€bare€bones€statement€about€theÐ <&Œ!& Ðcase.Ìà  àMs.€Scherr€explained€that€in€the€case€to€which€Mr.€TitusÏreferred,€a€fair€summary€could€not€be€written,€so€the€decision€wasÏmade€to€put€all€of€the€information€in,€rather€than€edit€it.€€Mr.Ð L-œ(. ÐTitus€commented€that€the€Commission€misread€the€Rule.€€Mr.€SykesÏasked€which€Rule€bears€on€this.€€When€courts€open€cases€to€theÏpublic,€the€complaint€is€not€printed.€€Mr.€Titus€stated€that€the€RuleÏdoes€not€contemplate€anything€being€printed€other€than€the€name€ofÏthe€case.€€Ìà  àThe€Chair€questioned€whether€the€Rule€should€be€changed.€€ÏJudge€Adkins€said€that€if€the€Rules€Committee€intends€to€prohibitÏpublication€of€the€charges,€this€should€be€stated€somewhere€in€theÏRules.€€Otherwise,€members€of€the€Commission€might€decide€that€theÏcase€merits€publication€of€the€charges.Ìà  àMr.€Titus€moved€to€add€an€additional€sentence€to€section€(d)Ïwhich€would€read:€€ð ðThe€Commission€may€publish€notice€of€the€date,Ïtime,€and€place€of€the€hearing.ðð€€€The€Vice€Chair€noted€that€theÏcharges€are€not€confidential.€€Mr.€Lemmey€commented€that€if€noÏcharges€are€published€at€all,€some€reporters€may€ask€for€them,€andÏthis€would€provide€even€more€coverage€of€the€case.€€The€ReporterÏsuggested€that€after€Mr.€Titusðð€proposed€language,€the€followingÏlanguage€could€be€added:€€ð ðbut€the€Commission€shall€not€cause€theÏtext€of€the€charges€to€be€published.ðð€€€Ìà  àMr.€Sykes€said€that€the€proceedings€open€up€after€service€onÏthe€judge,€and€this€may€be€too€soon.€€It€might€be€preferable€for€theÏproceedings€to€open€up€at€the€hearing€or€somewhat€later€before€theÏhearing€is€set.€€The€Vice€Chair€commented€that€the€reason€for€theÏchanges€to€the€Rules€is€that€the€public€believes€in€opening€theÐ L-œ(. Ðsystem€for€the€discipline€of€judges.€€Her€preference€is€to€leave€thisÏissue€up€to€the€Commission.€€The€suggested€wording€seems€to€add€toÏthe€secrecy€of€the€proceedings.€€Mr.€Titus€observed€that€no€courtÏrequires€a€public€notice€in€the€newspaper€with€all€of€the€details€ofÏthe€case.€€The€matter€could€become€public€once€the€response€is€filed.€ÏThe€Vice€Chair€pointed€out€that€notice€of€the€hearing€comes€a€whileÏafter€charges€and€the€response.€€Mr.€Sykes€inquired€if€the€publicÏwould€be€satisfied€if€the€proceedings€are€open€after€a€response€byÏthe€judge€is€filed,€or€the€time€for€the€response€has€expired.€€ThereÏcould€be€a€mandatory€provision€requiring€public€notice€of€the€time,Ïplace,€and€date€of€the€hearing€as€well€as€the€name€of€the€judge.€€Ìà  àJudge€Adkins€questioned€whether€the€Commission€could€releaseÏthe€charges€to€the€newspaper,€and€Mr.€Lemmey€answered€in€theÏaffirmative.€€Judge€Adkins€expressed€the€view€that€publication€of€theÏcharges€should€not€be€prohibited.€€The€Chair€said€that€although€theÏpublication€of€the€charges€is€an€internal€Commission€decision,€manyÏfind€it€offensive.€€Mr.€Sykes€observed€that€to€be€fair,€the€judgeððsÏresponse€should€be€published,€also,€although€that€would€be€requireÏtoo€much€to€be€printed.€€Mr.€Lemmey€commented€that€they€do€not€haveÏto€publish€the€charges,€but€the€concern€is€that€the€public€wants€toÏknow.€€Mr.€Titus€responded€that€anyone€wishing€to€find€out€about€theÏcase€can€look€at€the€file.Ìà  àThe€Vice€Chair€pointed€out€that€the€Rule€does€not€make€clearÏthat€the€public€notice€to€be€issued€is€to€be€in€the€òòMarylandÐ L-œ(. ÐRegisteróó.€€The€Chair€suggested€that€the€added€language€read€asÐ ° Ðfollows:€€ð ðThe€Commission€shall€also€publish€in€the€òòMaryland€RegisteróóÐ tÄ Ða€notice€that€sets€forth€only€the€name€of€the€judge,€and€the€date,Ïtime,€and€place€of€the€hearing.ðð€€The€Chair€suggested€that€a€secondÏsentence€could€be€added€which€reads€as€follows:€ð ðThe€notice€shall€notÏstate€the€specific€nature€of€the€charges.ðð€€Senator€Stone€disagreedÏwith€the€addition€of€the€second€sentence.€€The€Chair€commented€thatÏhe€did€not€like€including€the€word€ð ðonlyðð€in€the€new€language.€€TheÏVice€Chair€suggested€deleting€the€word€ð ðonly.ðð€€Ìà  àThe€Chair€suggested€that€the€second€sentence€could€read€asÏfollows:€€ð ðUnless€the€Chair€of€the€Commission€orders€otherwise,€theÏpublic€notice€shall€not€state€the€specific€nature€of€the€charges.ðð€ÏIt€may€be€appropriate€to€publish€the€charge,€such€as€when€a€judgeÏabsconds€or€does€not€answer€the€charges.€€Mr.€Sykes€observed€that€theÏCommission€performs€a€mixture€of€prosecutorial€and€judicialÏfunctions.€€Anyone€can€see€the€file,€and€should€be€able€to€do€so€toÏavoid€the€Commission€looking€one„sided.€€Judge€Dryden€suggested€thatÏa€Committee€note€could€be€added€providing€that€the€public€has€accessÏto€the€charges€and€the€judgeððs€response.€€The€Reporter€suggested€theÏaddition€of€a€cross€reference€to€Rule€16„810,€Confidentiality.€€TheÏCommittee€agreed€by€consensus€to€Judge€Drydenððs€and€the€ReporterððsÏsuggestions.€Ìà  àMr.€Lemmey€noted€that€after€public€charges€have€been€filed,Ïonly€the€charging€document€is€public,€and€not€the€file.€€The€ViceÐ L-œ(. ÐChair€asked€if€the€word€ð ðonlyðð€is€to€be€included€in€the€proposed€newÏlanguage€of€section€(d).€€Judge€Adkins€replied€that€if€that€is€theÏintention€of€the€Committee,€it€should€be€included.€€The€CommitteeÏagreed€by€consensus€to€this.€€Ìà  àTurning€to€section€(h),€the€Vice€Chair€pointed€out€that€theÏsecond€sentence€is€being€deleted.€€The€language€of€the€deletedÏsentence€is€close€to€that€of€Rule€4„204,€Charging€Document„„¼Amendment,€which€is€the€criminal€rule.€€The€Reporterððs€note€statesÏthat€the€reason€for€the€deletion€is€that€charges€may€not€be€amendedÏafter€a€hearing€has€begun.€€The€purpose€of€the€deletion€must€beÏbroader€than€that.€€Mr.€Titus€remarked€that€the€Rule€locks€theÏcharges€in€as€of€30€days€before€the€hearing.€€The€Chair€inquired€asÏto€what€happens€if€the€judge€responds€within€30€days.€€Mr.€TitusÏasked€if€there€would€be€an€automatic€continuance,€and€Judge€AdkinsÏanswered€that€this€is€implied.€€Mr.€Titus€pointed€out€that€ifÏInvestigative€Counsel€amends€the€charges€one€day€before€the€hearing,Ïthe€Commission€would€decide€whether€to€postpone€or€hold€the€hearing,Ïusing€an€abuse€of€discretion€standard.Ìà  àTurning€to€section€(j),€the€Chair€noted€a€change€in€subsectionÏ(k)(4).€€Judge€Adkins€commented€that€in€subsection€(k)(1),€theÏlanguage€concerning€retirement€has€been€taken€out.€€The€Chair€notedÏthat€a€recommendation€that€a€judge€retire€is€a€sanction.€€Mr.€SykesÏsaid€that€more€than€recommendations€would€be€needed€in€the€record.€ÏHe€suggested€that€subsection€(k)(1)€read€as€follows:€€ð ðmake€writtenÐ L-œ(. Ðfindings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law€with€respect€to€the€issues€ofÏfact€and€law€in€the€proceeding,€state€its€recommendations,€and€enterÏthose€findings€and€recommendations€in€the€record€in€the€name€of€theÏCommission.ðð€€The€Committee€agreed€by€consensus€to€this€change.Ìà  àMr.€Lemmey€commented€that€section€(l)€refers€in€the€thirdÏsentence€to€ð ðdiscipline€other€than€a€reprimand.ðð€€He€asked€if€theÏCourt€of€Appeals€must€approve€discipline€that€is€less€than€aÏreprimand.€€Senator€Stone€suggested€that€the€language€in€the€thirdÏsentence€could€be:€€ð ðdiscipline€more€severe€than€a€reprimand.ðð€€Mr.ÏLemmey€noted€that€lesser€forms€of€discipline€include€a€warning€or€aÏstay€with€conditions.€€The€Vice€Chair€suggested€the€language€ð ðmoreÏserious€than€a€reprimand.ðð€€The€Committee€agreed€by€consensus€to€theÏlanguage€ð ðmore€severe€than€a€reprimand.ðð€€Ìà  àThe€Vice€Chair€asked€if€the€full€Commission€knows€when€a€judgeÏdecides€to€enter€into€a€discipline€by€consent€agreement.€€Mr.€LemmeyÏreplied€that€when€a€case€is€resolved€short€of€charges€and€a€hearing,Ïthe€entire€Commission€is€informed.€€The€Vice€Chair€commented€that€ifÏthe€Court€of€Appeals€were€to€decide€that€the€sanction€given€the€judgeÏwas€wrong,€the€whole€Commission€knows€that€the€judge€consented€toÏhaving€committed€sanctionable€conduct.€€When€the€case€goes€back€toÏthe€Commission,€instructing€them€to€disregard€the€consent€agreementÏhas€the€same€inherent€problem€as€instructing€the€jury€to€disregardÏinadmissible€evidence€already€heard€by€the€jury.€€The€judicialÏdiscipline€situation€may€be€even€worse,€since€the€judge€alreadyÐ L-œ(. Ðadmitted€the€sanctionable€conduct.€€Ìà  àThe€Chair€asked€how€often€this€situation€would€occur.€€Mr.ÏLemmey€answered€that€it€does€not€occur€very€often.€€The€way€the€RuleÏis€written€is€that€it€takes€place€after€public€charges.€€Most€of€theÏconsent€work€is€done€prior€to€public€charges.€€€The€Chair€said€thatÏthe€problem€pointed€out€by€the€Vice€Chair€could€be€solved€if€theÏdiscipline€agreements€go€straight€to€the€Court€of€Appeals€forÏpolicing.€€Then€the€Commission€will€not€know€about€the€admission.€ÏThe€agreement€could€be€submitted€to€the€Court€of€Appeals,€and€if€itÏis€rejected,€the€proceedings€would€resume.€€Judge€Vaughan€asked€ifÏthis€would€create€a€problem€with€the€publicððs€perception€of€judicialÏdiscipline.€€Mr.€Sykes€noted€that€section€(l)€provides€that€theÏagreements€shall€be€made€public.€€Mr.€Dean€expressed€the€view€thatÏthe€agreements€should€be€confidential€before€they€go€to€the€Court€ofÏAppeals.€€Mr.€Sykes€suggested€that€the€language€in€the€first€sentenceÏof€section€(l)€which€reads€ð ðthat€shall€be€made€publicðð€should€beÏdeleted.€€The€Committee€agreed€by€consensus€with€this€suggestion.Ìà  àMr.€Bowen€suggested€that€the€following€language€be€added€to€theÏend€of€section€(l):€€ð ðafter€which€the€agreement€is€made€public.ðð€ÏSome€of€the€matters€sent€to€the€Court€may€be€trivial.€€The€ChairÏresponded€that€not€very€many€are€trivial.€€Mr.€Bowen€remarked€thatÏwith€the€addition€of€the€ð ðmore€severeðð€language,€he€had€assumed€thatÏsome€cases€would€be€trivial.€€The€Chair€pointed€out€that€theÏCommission€has€the€power€to€reprimand€without€further€involvement€ofÐ L-œ(. Ðthe€Court€of€Appeals.€€Judge€Vaughan€observed€that€in€a€hearingÏbefore€the€Commission,€the€witnesses€may€be€weak.€€This€is€similar€toÏa€settlement€in€a€civil€case€before€the€Commission€makes€itsÏdecision.€€The€Committee€agreed€by€consensus€to€Mr.€Bowenððs€suggestedÏlanguage.Ìà  àThe€Chair€said€that€this€allows€the€possibility€of€an€agreementÏduring€a€hearing€before€the€decision.€€The€Vice€Chair€questioned€theÏð ðmore€severeðð€language,ðð€asking€if€an€agreement€to€go€to€therapy€isÏmore€or€less€severe€than€a€reprimand.€€This€is€too€complicated€toÏdefine.€€The€Commission€should€not€be€involved€in€the€consentÏproceeding€if€there€is€the€possibility€of€a€retrial.€€She€suggestedÏthat€the€second€and€third€sentences€of€section€(l)€be€combined,€asÏfollows:€€ð ðThe€agreement€shall€be€submitted€to€the€Court€of€Appeals,Ïwhich€shall€either€reject€or€approve€the€agreement.ðð€In€the€remainderÏof€section€(l),€the€language€ð ðthe€Commission€orðð€should€be€deleted.€ÏThe€Committee€agreed€by€consensus€to€these€changes.Ìà  àMr.€Titus€moved€to€approve€the€Rule€as€amended.€€The€motion€wasÏseconded,€and€it€carried€unanimously.Ìà  àThe€Chair€presented€Rule€16„809,€Proceedings€in€Court€ofÏAppeals,€for€the€Committeeððs€consideration.€€ÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °ÒÓÓÌÔ‡ X¬?XX X¬?Ôà@÷ ÷ ìàMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆÐ â(2$) ÐÌà@  ìàTITLE€16€„€COURTS,€JUDGES,€AND€ATTORNEYSˆÌÌà@÷ ÷ ìàCHAPTER€800€„€MISCELLANEOUSˆÌÌÐ ..~)/ Ðà ¸ àAMEND€Rule€16„809€to€require€expeditedÏconsideration€of€any€case€in€which€exceptionsÏare€filed,€to€require€a€hearing€in€eachÌcase,€to€allow€the€Court€to€obtain€certainÏadditional€information,€to€require€the€Court€toÏmake€an€independent€review€of€the€findings€andÏconclusions€of€the€Commission,€to€deleteÌcurrent€section€(f),€and€to€add€a€certainÏCommittee€note,€as€follows:ÌÌÌRule€16„809.€€PROCEEDINGS€IN€COURT€OF€APPEALSÌÌÌ€€(a)€€ExceptionsÌÌà ¸ à€€The€judge€may€except€to€the€findings,Ïconclusions,€or€recommendation€of€theÏCommission€by€filing€with€the€Court€of€AppealsÏeight€copies€of€exceptions€within€30€days€afterÏservice€of€the€notice€of€filing€of€the€record.€ÏThe€exceptions€shall€set€forth€withÏparticularity€all€errors€allegedly€committed€byÏthe€Commission€and€the€disposition€sought.€€AÏcopy€of€the€exceptions€shall€be€served€on€theÏCommission€in€accordance€with€Rules€1„321€andÏ1„323.ÌÌ€€(b)€€ResponseÌÌà ¸ à€€The€Commission€shall€file€eight€copiesÏof€a€response€within€15€days€after€service€ofÏthe€exceptions.€€Unless€the€Commission€appointsÏanother€counsel€for€the€purpose,€it€shall€beÏrepresented€in€the€Court€of€Appeals€by€itsÏExecutive€Secretary.€€A€copy€of€the€responseÏshall€be€served€on€the€judge€in€accordance€withÏRules€1„321€and€1„323.ÌÌ€€ò ò(c)€€Expedited€Considerationó óÐ 'n"' ÐÌà ¸ à€€ò òThe€Clerk€of€the€Court€of€Appeals€shallÐ â(2$) Ðdocket€for€expedited€consideration€any€case€inÏwhich€exceptions€were€filed.ó óÐ ¦*ö%+ ÐÌ€€ò ò(c)ó ó€ò ò(d)ó ó€€ò òHearingó ó€ò òSchedule;€Hearingó óÐ j,º'- ÐÌ€€€€€€€ò òUpon€expiration€of€the€time€for€filingÐ ..~)/ Ðexceptions,€if€no€exceptions€are€filed€theÏCourt€shall€set€a€hearing.ó ó€€If€exceptions€areÐ ’â Ðfiled,€upon€the€filing€of€a€response€or€theÏexpiration€of€the€time€for€filing€it,€the€CourtÏshall€set€a€schedule€for€filing€ò òmemorandaó óÐ 8ˆ Ðò òbriefsó ó€in€support€of€the€exceptions€andÐ  j Ðresponse€and€a€date€for€a€hearing.€€The€hearingÏò òon€exceptionsó ó€shall€be€conducted€in€accordanceÐ Þ . Ðwith€Rule€8„522.€€ò òIf€no€exceptions€are€filed€orÐ À  Ðif€the€judge€files€with€the€Court€a€writtenÏwaiver€of€the€judge's€right€to€a€hearing,€theÏCourt€may€decide€the€matter€without€a€hearing.ó óÐ f¶  ÐÌ€€ò ò(e)€€Additional€Informationó óÐ *z  ÐÌà ¸ à€€ò òIf€the€Court€of€Appeals€desires€anÐ î>  Ðexpansion€of€the€record€or€additional€findings,Ïit€shall€remand€the€case€to€the€Commission€withÏappropriate€directions€and€withhold€actionÏpending€receipt€of€the€additional€filing.€€TheÏCourt€may€also€order€additional€briefs€or€oralÏarguments€as€to€the€entire€case€or€specifiedÏissues.ó óÐ l ÐÌ€€ò ò(d)ó ó€ò ò(f)€Review€of€Record;ó ó€DispositionÐ à0 ÐÌà ¸ à€€ò òIn€every€case,€the€Court€of€AppealsÐ ¤ô Ðshall€review€the€entire€record€filed€pursuantÏto€Rule€16„808€(k)€to€determine€whetherÏsanctionable€conduct€or€disability€of€the€judgeÏhas€been€proven€by€clear€and€convincingÏevidence.€€The€Court€shall€give€due€regard€toÏthe€opportunity€of€the€Commission€to€assess€theÏcredibility€of€witnesses.€€The€Court€shallÏreview€de€novo€the€Commissionððs€conclusions€ofÏlaw.€€The€Court€of€Appeals€may€accept,€reject,Ïor€modify€the€findings€and€conclusions€of€theÏCommission.ó ó€The€Court€ò òof€Appealsó ó€may€(1)€imposeÐ Z%ª % Ðthe€sanction€recommended€by€the€Commission€orÏany€other€sanction€permitted€by€lawò ò;ó ó€ò òoró ó€(2)Ð 'n"' Ðdismiss€the€proceedingò ò;€or€(3)€remand€forÐ (P#( Ðfurther€proceedings€as€specified€in€the€orderÏof€remandó ó.Ð Ä)%* ÐÓÍÌÓÌCross€reference:€€For€rights€and€privileges€ofÏthe€judge€after€disposition,€see€Md.€Const.,ÏArticle€IV,€ðð4B€(b).ÌÓÍÌ.ÓÌ€€ò ò(e)ó ó€ò ò(g)ó ó€€DecisionÐ X.¨)0 Їà ¸ à€€The€decision€shall€be€evidenced€by€theÏorder€of€the€Court€of€Appeals,€which€shall€beÏcertified€under€the€seal€of€the€Court€by€theÏClerk€and€shall€be€accompanied€by€an€opinion.€ÏUnless€the€case€is€remanded€to€the€Commission,Ïthe€record€shall€be€retained€by€the€Clerk€ofÏthe€Court€of€Appeals.ÌÓÍÌÓò òÌQuery€to€Committee:€€With€the€addition€ofÏsection€(e)€and€the€deletion€of€subsectionÏ(f)(3),€should€the€"remand"€portion€of€the€lastÏsentence€of€section€(g)€be€amended?ó óÐ ® þ  ÐÌÓÍÌÓ€€ò ò(f)€€Interested€Member€of€the€Court€ofÐ f  ÐAppealsó óÐ øH  ÐÌà ¸ à€€ò òA€judge€who€is€a€member€of€the€Court€ofÐ ¼  ÐAppeals€shall€not€participate€in€any€proceedingÏin€that€court€in€which€the€disability€orÏsanctionable€conduct€of€that€judge€is€in€issue.ó óÐ b² ÐÌò òCommittee€note:€€Former€section€(f)€of€thisÐ &v ÐRule€contained€a€provision€that€a€judge€of€theÏCourt€of€Appeals€shall€not€participate€in€anyÏproceeding€in€that€court€in€which€theÏdisability€or€sanctionable€conduct€of€thatÏjudge€was€in€issue.€€This€was€deleted€becauseÏof€the€implication€that€this€is€the€onlyÏsituation€where€a€judge€cannot€sit,€and€becauseÏCanon€3C,€Maryland€Code€of€Judicial€ConductÏ(Rule€16„813)€pertains€to€recusal€of€judges.ó óÐ h ÐÌSource:€€This€Rule€is€ò òin€part€derived€fromó óÐ Ü,  Ðformer€Rule€1227F€ò òand€in€part€new.ó óÐ ¾ ! ÐÌÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` Òà  àRule€16„809€was€accompanied€by€the€following€ReporterððsÌÌNote.ÌÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °Òà ¸ àProposed€new€section€(c),€patterned€uponÏRule€25A€(1)€of€the€ABA€Model€Rules€forÏJudicial€Disciplinary€Enforcement,€requiresÏexpedited€consideration€of€any€case€in€whichÏexceptions€are€filed.ÌÌà ¸ àIn€section€(d),€the€language€providingÏthat,€in€certain€circumstances,€the€Court€mayÏdecide€the€matter€without€a€hearing€is€proposedÐ ü-L)0 Ðto€be€deleted.€€The€Committee€believes€thatÏthere€should€be€a€hearing€in€all€cases€that€areÏserious€enough€to€have€reached€the€Court€ofÏAppeals.ÌÌà ¸ àProposed€new€section€(e)€is€based€uponÏRule€25B€(2)€and€(3)€of€the€ABA€Model€Rules€forÏJudicial€Disciplinary€Enforcement.€€It€givesÏthe€Court€of€Appeals€the€flexibility€to€acquireÏmore€information€in€a€particular€case.ÌÌà ¸ àSection€(f)€is€proposed€to€be€amended€toÏrequire€the€Court€of€Appeals€to€make€a€de€novoÏreview€of€the€findings€and€conclusions€of€theÏCommission€and€to€allow€the€Court€more€optionsÏfor€disposition.€€The€first€three€sentences€ofÏthe€amendment€are€patterned€after€Rule€16„769Ï(b)€(Alternative€1)€in€the€proposed€revisedÏAttorney€Disciplinary€Rules.€€The€fourthÏsentence€is€new€and€allows€the€court€to€accept,Ïreject,€or€modify€the€findings€and€conclusionsÏof€the€Commission.€€Subsection€(f)(3)€isÏdeleted€as€unnecessary,€in€light€of€theÏaddition€of€new€section€(e)€and€the€otherÏamendments€of€section€(f).ÌÌà ¸ àThe€section€of€the€Rule€pertaining€toÏrecusal€of€an€interested€member€of€the€Court€ofÏAppeals€is€proposed€for€deletion,€and€aÏCommittee€note€that€references€the€broaderÏrecusal€provisions€of€Canon€3€C€of€the€MarylandÏCode€of€Judicial€Conduct€is€proposed€in€lieuÏthereof.ÌÌÌÔ#† X¬?XX X¬?¦#ÔÒ°` ÒÒ°` ÒÓÓà  àMr.€Sykes€asked€what€the€standard€of€review€is€in€section€(f).€Ð –#æ# ÐIt€does€not€seem€to€be€ð ðclearly€erroneousðð€or€ð ðde€novo.ðð€€The€ViceÏChair€noted€that€the€first€sentence€is€de€novo€review,€but€she€had€aÏproblem€with€the€language€in€the€second€sentence€that€the€Court€shallÏgive€due€regard€to€the€opportunity€of€the€Commission€to€assess€theÏcredibility€of€the€witnesses.€€The€Chair€responded€that€it€isÏdifficult€to€state€the€standard€of€review€more€clearly.€€The€languageÐ ..~)/ Ðin€section€(f)€comes€from€language€in€Court€of€Appeals€cases.€€TheÏreview€is€not€strictly€sufficiency€of€the€evidence.€€Mr.€SykesÏpointed€out€that€the€standard€is€not€clear.€€The€Chair€said€that€theÏintent€is€a€de€novo€review€or€a€review€parallel€to€de€novo.€€This€isÏparallel€to€the€first€of€the€two€alternate€standards€presented€in€theÏproposed€Attorney€Discipline€Rules.€€With€rejection€by€the€RulesÏCommittee€of€panelization,€the€review€should€be€de€novo.Ìà  àThe€Vice€Chair€suggested€that€the€Committee€look€at€the€twoÏalternatives€in€the€proposed€Attorney€Discipline€Rules.€€The€ChairÏpresented€the€two€alternatives€which€are,€as€follows:€€ÌÓÓ€€€€€€€€€€€òòAlternative€1óóÐ X¨ ÐÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °Òà ¸ àIn€every€case,€the€Court€of€Appeals€shallÏreview€the€entire€record€to€determine€whetherÏmisconduct€has€been€proven€by€clear€andÏconvincing€evidence.€€The€Court€shall€give€dueÏregard€to€the€opportunity€of€the€hearing€judgeÏto€assess€the€credibility€of€witnesses.ÌÌòòAlternative€2óóÐ Jš ÐÌà ¸ àIn€every€case,€the€Court€of€Appeals€shallÏreview€the€entire€record€to€determine€whetherÏthe€evidence€is€sufficient€to€establish€thatÏthe€findings€of€fact€on€issues€of€misconductÏare€supported€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€ÏThe€Court€shall€give€due€regard€to€theÏopportunity€of€the€hearing€judge€to€assess€theÏcredibility€of€witnesses€and€shall€not€setÏaside€any€finding€of€fact€unless€clearlyÏerroneous.ÌÌÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` ÒÓÓà  àMr.€Sykes€noted€that€Alternative€1€is€the€same€as€the€standardÏof€review€in€section€(f).€€Ìà  àTurning€to€section€(g),€Mr.€Titus€asked€if€in€the€secondÐ ..~)/ Ðsentence,€the€language€ð ð[u]nless€the€case€is€remanded€to€theÏCommissionðð€is€necessary.€€The€Chair€suggested€that€it€could€beÏremoved.€€The€Vice€Chair€pointed€out€that€the€existing€Rule€has€thisÏlanguage.€€The€Chair€suggested€that€the€introductory€language€couldÏbe€ð ð[u]nless€the€Court€orders€otherwise.ðð€€Mr.€Sykes€responded€thatÏthere€would€have€to€be€an€order€in€every€case.€€The€Committee€decidedÏto€leave€the€existing€language€in€the€Rule.Ìà  àThe€Vice€Chair€suggested€that€the€language€in€the€CommitteeÏnote€at€the€end€of€the€Rule€be€put€into€a€Reporterððs€note.€€TheÏCommittee€agreed€by€consensus€to€this€change.Ìà  àJudge€Kaplan€moved€that€the€Rule€be€approved€as€amended.€€TheÏmotion€was€seconded,€and€it€carried€unanimously.Ìà  àThe€Chair€presented€Rule€16„810,€Confidentiality,€for€theÏCommitteeððs€consideration.€€ÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °ÒÓÓÌÔ‡ X¬?XX X¬?ÔÐ  Jš Ðà@÷ ÷ ìàMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆÌÌà@  ìàTITLE€16€„€COURTS,€JUDGES,€AND€ATTORNEYSˆÌÌà@÷ ÷ ìàCHAPTER€800€„€MISCELLANEOUSˆÌÌÌà ¸ àAMEND€Rule€16„810€to€add€a€new€provisionÏin€subsection€(a)(1)€providing€for€a€certainÏnotification€to€the€complainant,€to€expand€theÏinformation€provided€to€certain€agencies€inÏsubsection€(b)(3)(A),€and€to€make€certainÏclarifying€and€stylistic€changes,€as€follows:ÌÌÌRule€16„810.€€CONFIDENTIALITYÓÓÌÓÓÌ€€(a)€€GenerallyÌÌà ¸ à€€Except€as€otherwise€expressly€providedÏby€these€rules,€proceedings€and€informationÏrelating€to€a€complaint€or€charges€shall€beÏconfidential€or€ò òopen€to€theó ó€public,€as€follows:Ð þN ÐÌ€€€€(1)€€ò òBefore€Service€of€Chargesó ó€ò òComplaintsÐ Â Ðand€Investigationsó óÐ ¤ô ÐÌà ¸ à€€€€ò òBefore€service€of€charges€upon€theÐ h¸ Ðjudge,€aó óò òAó óll€proceedings€ò òby€and€before€theÐ Jš ÐCommissionó ó€ò òunder€Rules€16„805€and€16„806ó ó€shallÐ ,| Ðbe€confidentialò ò,€including€all€informationÐ  ^ Ðrelating€to€a€complaintó ó.€€ò òA€complainant€shallÐ ð @  Ðbe€notified€that€a€violation€of€this€subsectionÏmay€be€the€basis€for€dismissal€of€theÏcomplaint.ó óÐ –#æ# ÐÌ€€€€(2)€€Upon€Service€ò òofó ó€ChargesÐ Z%ª % ÐÌà ¸ à€€€€Upon€service€of€charges€allegingÏsanctionable€conduct,€whether€or€not€joinedÏwith€charges€of€disability,€the€charges€and€allÏsubsequent€proceedings€before€the€Commission€onÏthem€shall€be€ò òopen€to€theó ó€public.€€If€theÐ ¦*ö%+ Ðcharges€allege€only€that€the€judge€has€aÏdisability,€the€charges€and€all€proceedingsÏbefore€the€Commission€on€them€shall€beÏconfidential.Ð ..~)/ Ѐ€€€(3)€€Work€Product€and€DeliberationsÌÌà ¸ à€€€€Investigative€counsel's€work€productÏand€records€not€admitted€into€evidence€beforeÏthe€Commission,€the€Commission's€deliberations,Ïand€records€of€the€Commission's€deliberationsÏshall€be€confidential.ÌÌ€€€€(4)€€Proceedings€in€the€Court€of€AppealsÌÌà ¸ à€€€€Unless€otherwise€ordered€by€the€CourtÏof€Appeals,€the€record€of€CommissionÏproceedings€filed€with€that€Court€and€anyÏproceedings€before€that€Court€shall€be€ò òopen€toÐ *z  Ðtheó ó€public.Ð  \  ÐÌ€€(b)€€Permitted€Release€of€Information€byÏCommissionÌÌ€€€€(1)€€Written€WaiverÌÌà ¸ à€€€€The€Commission€may€releaseÏconfidential€information€upon€a€written€waiverÏby€the€judge.ÌÌ€€€€(2)€€Explanatory€StatementÌÌà ¸ à€€€€The€Commission€may€issue€a€briefÏexplanatory€statement€necessary€to€correct€anyÏunfairness€to€a€judge€or€any€publicÏmisperception€about€the€Commission€or€aboutÏactual€or€possible€proceedings€before€it.ÌÌ€€€€(3)€€Nominations;€Appointments;€ApprovalsÌÌ€€€€€€(A)€€Permitted€DisclosuresÌÌà ¸ àà  à€Upon€a€written€application€made€by€aÏjudicial€nominating€commission,€a€Bar€AdmissionÏauthority,€the€President€of€the€United€States,Ïthe€Governor€of€a€state,€territory,€district,Ïor€possession€of€the€United€States,€or€aÏcommittee€of€the€General€Assembly€of€MarylandÏor€of€the€United€States€Senate€which€assertsÏthat€the€applicant€is€considering€theÏnomination,€appointment,€confirmation,€orÏapproval€of€a€judge€or€former€judge,€theÏCommission€shall€disclose€to€the€applicant:Ð ..~)/ Ї€€€€€€€€(i)€€Information€about€any€complaintsÏor€charges€that€did€not€result€in€dismissal,Ïincluding€reprimands€and€deferred€disciplineÏagreements;€andÌÌà ¸ à€€€(ii)€€The€ò òmere€fact€that€a€complaint€isÐ  j Ðpendingó ó€ò òdate€any€pending€complaints€were€filedÐ ü L Ðor€any€pending€investigations€were€initiatedÏand€the€general€nature€of€the€complaintó ó.Ð À  ÐÌ€€€€€€(B)€€RestrictionsÌÌà ¸ àà  à€When€the€Commission€furnishesÏinformation€to€an€applicant€under€this€section,Ïthe€Commission€shall€furnish€only€one€copy€ofÏthe€material€and€it€shall€be€furnished€underÏseal.€€As€a€condition€to€receiving€theÏmaterial,€the€applicant€shall€agree€(i)€not€toÏcopy€the€material€or€permit€it€to€be€copied;Ï(ii)€that€when€inspection€of€the€material€hasÏbeen€completed,€the€applicant€shall€seal€andÏreturn€the€material€to€the€Commission;€andÏ(iii)€not€to€disclose€the€contents€of€theÏmaterial€or€any€information€contained€in€it€toÏanyone€other€than€another€member€of€theÏapplicant.ÌÌ€€€€€€(C)€€Copy€to€JudgeÌÌà ¸ à€€€€€€The€Commission€shall€send€the€judgeÏa€copy€of€all€documents€disclosed€under€thisÏsubsection.ÌÌCross€reference:€€For€the€powers€of€theÏCommission€in€an€investigation€or€proceedingÏunder€Md.€Const.,€Article€IV,€ðð4B,€see€Code,ÏCourts€Article,€ðððð13„401,€402,€and€403.ÌÌSource:€€This€Rule€is€ò òderived€fromó ó€former€RuleÐ <&Œ!& Ð1227G.ÌÌÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` Òà  àRule€16„810€was€accompanied€by€the€following€ReporterððsÌÌNote.ÌÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °Òà ¸ àThe€proposed€amendment€to€section€(a)€addsÏthe€language,€"open€to€the"€before€the€wordÐ ..~)/ Ð"public,"€indicating€that€the€public€isÏpermitted€to€find€out€about€the€proceedings€andÏrelated€information,€but€this€does€notÏnecessarily€have€to€be€publicized.ÌÌà ¸ àIn€subsection€(a)(1),€the€focus€is€changedÏfrom€"[b]efore€service€of€charges"€to€"[a]llÏproceedings€under€Rule€16„805€and€16„806."€ÏThis€clarifies€that€all€complaints€andÏinvestigations€are€confidential,€andÏaccordingly,€the€tagline€to€the€subsection€isÏchanged.€€The€second€sentence€is€added€in€orderÏto€notify€the€complainant€that,€by€invoking€theÏCommission's€jurisdiction,€the€complainant€isÏexpected€to€comply€with€the€confidentialityÏprovisions€of€this€Rule€and€is€subject€to€theÏsanction€of€dismissal€of€the€complaint€in€theÏevent€of€unexcused€violation.ÌÌà ¸ àIn€subsections€(a)(2)€and€(a)(4)€theÏlanguage€"open€to€the"€is€added€before€the€wordÏ"public,"€which€is€consistent€with€the€changeÏin€the€introductory€clause€of€section€(a).ÌÌà ¸ àSubsection€(b)(3)(A)(ii)€is€changed€soÏthat€applicants€from€a€judicial€nominatingÏcommission,€a€Bar€Admission€authority,€or€theÏgovernmental€entities€listed€in€subsectionÏ(b)(3)(A)€should€be€apprised€of€the€date€theÏpending€complaints€were€filed,€the€date€anyÏpending€investigation€was€initiated,€and€theÏgeneral€nature€of€the€complaint,€instead€ofÏbeing€told€only€that€a€complaint€is€pending.ÌÔ#† X¬?XX X¬?‡+#ÔÌÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` ÒÓÓà  àJudge€Vaughan€questioned€the€title€of€the€Rule€because€part€ofÏit€pertains€to€public€matters.€€Mr.€Titus€suggested€that€the€title€beÏchanged€to€ð ðPublic€Access,ðð€and€the€Committee€agreed€by€consensus€toÏthis€change.€€Mr.€Sykes€suggested€that€section€(a)€could€beÏreorganized€to€provide€which€proceedings€and€information€are€open€andÏwhich€are€confidential.€€Mr.€Titus€remarked€that€the€StyleÏSubcommittee€can€take€care€of€that.€€Ð ..~)/ Ðà  àThe€Vice€Chair€said€that€she€did€not€like€the€reference€toÏother€proceedings€in€subsection€(a)(1).€€She€asked€if€the€formalÏcomplaint€is€confidential,€and€Ms.€Knox€replied€that€everything€isÏpublic€after€charges€are€filed.€€The€Vice€Chair€noted€that€if€all€isÏpublic,€then€the€sentence€providing€that€all€proceedings€areÏconfidential€is€not€accurate.€€Mr.€Lemmey€added€that€a€formalÏcomplaint€is€confidential,€except€at€the€hearing.€€Mr.€Sykes€remarkedÏthat€the€Style€Subcommittee€can€restyle€this€provision.€Ìà  àMr.€Titus€moved€that€the€tagline€of€subsection€(a)(2)€should€beÏchanged,€and€that€subsection€(a)(2)€should€read€as€follows:€ð ðUponÏservice€of€charges€alleging€sanctionable€conduct,€whether€or€notÏjoined€with€charges€of€disability,€and€the€filing€of€a€response€orÏexpiration€of€the€time€for€filing€a€response,€the€charges€and€allÏsubsequent€proceedings...ðð.€€The€motion€was€seconded.€€The€Vice€ChairÏexpressed€the€opinion€that€she€was€opposed€to€closing€public€access.€ÏMr.€Titus€explained€that€up€€until€this€point,€the€judge€has€beenÏunable€to€explain€his€or€her€situation,€and€this€would€give€the€judgeÏa€chance€to€file€publicly€before€the€media€gets€into€the€act.€€TheÏVice€Chair€commented€that€the€newspapers€never€seem€to€be€interestedÏin€the€judgeððs€response.€€Ìà  àThe€Chair€called€for€a€vote€on€Mr.€Titusðð€motion,€and€itÏpassed,€with€one€opposed.€€Ìà  àTurning€to€subsection€(b)(3)(A),€Mr.€Titus€said€that€he€was€notÏsure€about€the€meaning€of€the€written€application.€€The€ReporterÐ L-œ(. Ðresponded€that€this€is€an€application€from€a€judicial€nominatingÏcommission,€a€Bar€Admission€authority,€or€a€government€agency€to€theÏJudicial€Disabilities€Commission€to€get€information€about€a€judicialÏapplicantððs€record.€€Mr.€Sykes€clarified€that€the€applicant€is€theÏnominating€commission.€€Judge€Adkins€suggested€that€the€applicantÏcould€be€named€the€ð ðentity€applying.ðð€€Mr.€Titus€expressed€hisÏpreference€for€ð ðapplying€or€requesting€entityðð€and€not€ð ðapplicant.ðð€€Ìà  àMr.€Sykes€pointed€out€that€the€judge€approves€the€release€ofÏthe€information.€€However,€whether€the€judge€approves€the€release€orÏnot,€these€provisions€apply.€€Mr.€Titus€noted€that€subsectionÏ(b)(3)(A)(ii)€provides€for€information€being€given€as€to€the€ð ðgeneralÏnature€of€the€complaint.ðð€€Mr.€Sykes€noted€that€the€complaints€andÏinvestigations€are€pending,€meaning€not€disposed€of.€€The€Vice€ChairÏasked€if€subsection€(ii)€allows€disclosure€of€a€non„formal€complaint.€ÏThe€Chair€suggested€that€the€word€ð ðformalðð€be€added€before€the€wordÏð ðcomplaintðð€in€both€places€in€subsection€(ii).€€Mr.€Sykes€asked€aboutÏdisclosure€of€€disciplinary€action€based€on€an€investigation€evenÏthough€no€formal€complaint€was€filed.€€The€Vice€Chair€expressed€theÏview€that€the€deleted€language€is€better.€€Ìà  àJudge€Kaplan€commented€that€the€word€ð ðproceedingðð€would€beÏbetter€in€subsection€(ii)€than€the€word€ð ðcomplaint.ðð€€Mr.€Sykes€saidÏthat€it€has€to€be€more€than€proceedings,€it€has€to€be€a€formalÏcomplaint.€€The€Vice€Chair€suggested€that€the€deleted€language€be€putÏback€in€with€the€addition€of€the€word€ð ðformalðð€before€the€wordÐ L-œ(. Ðð ðcomplaint.ðð€€Subsection€(b)(3)(A)(ii)€would€read:€€ð ðThe€mere€factÏthat€a€formal€complaint€is€pending.ðð€€The€Committee€agreed€byÏconsensus€to€this€change.Ìà  àThe€Vice€Chair€asked€if€subsection€(b)(2)€means€that€theÏCommission€is€entitled€to€release€confidential€information.€€TheÏReporter€answered€that€under€certain€circumstances€it€can,€such€as€ifÏsomeone€is€giving€out€false€or€misleading€information.€€The€ViceÏChair€asked€if€the€information€can€be€released,€even€if€the€judge€isÏopposed.€€The€Reporter€answered€in€the€affirmative.€€€Mr.€LemmeyÏexplained€that€sometimes€people€put€out€misinformation€about€a€case.€ÏA€complainant€who€files€a€complaint€on€Tuesday,€but€gave€incorrectÏinformation€to€the€press€on€Monday€is€an€example.€€The€CommissionÏneeds€some€ability€to€explain.€€Judge€Adkins€pointed€out€that€whatÏthe€judge€does€is€public,€but€the€Commissionððs€activities€areÏprivate,€and€they€never€have€an€opportunity€to€explain€their€actions.€ÏÌà  àThe€Chair€suggested€that€subsection€(b)(2)€end€with€the€wordÏð ðCommissionðð€the€second€time€it€appears.€€Mr.€Lemmey€disagreed.€ÏJudge€Adkins€said€that€if€the€judgeððs€attorney€is€distorting€theÏtruth€in€the€press,€the€Commission€ought€to€be€able€to€correct€theÏmisperception.€€The€Chair€commented€that€the€concern€is€responding€toÏunfair€or€inaccurate€information€furnished€by€a€judge.€€The€ViceÏChair€remarked€that€her€problem€is€the€permanent€release€ofÏconfidential€information.€€Judge€Adkins€commented€that€the€HonorableÐ L-œ(. ÐGlenn€Harrell,€Associate€Judge€of€the€Court€of€Special€Appeals,€andÏformer€Commission€Chair,€had€said€that€one€of€the€difficult€aspectsÏof€the€job€as€Chair€is€the€secrecy€of€the€proceedings.€€PeopleÏcomplain€about€the€Commission,€but€the€Commission€is€unable€toÏrespond.€€This€Rule€is€not€designed€to€undo€confidentiality;€it€is€anÏoutlet€for€unusual€situations.€€Ìà  àMr.€Lemmey€presented€a€scenario€where€a€judge€signed€a€privateÏreprimand€admitting€misconduct.€€Six€months€later€the€judge€tells€theÏnewspaper€that€the€Commission€treated€him€or€her€unfairly.€€TheÏCommission€should€be€able€to€answer€these€charges.€€ññÌññà  àThe€ChairÐ ”ä Ðsuggested€that€subsection€(b)(2)€read,€as€follows:€ð ðThe€CommissionÏmay€issue€a€brief€explanatory€statement€necessary€to€correct€anyÏpublic€perception€about€actual€or€possible€proceedings€before€theÏCommission.ðð€€This€alerts€the€judge€that€the€Commission€can€correctÏany€misperceptions.€€The€Committee€agreed€by€consensus€to€thisÏchange.Ìà  àThe€Vice€Chair€moved€that€the€Rule€be€approved€as€amended.€€TheÏmotion€was€seconded,€and€it€carried€unanimously.Ìà  àThe€Chair€presented€Rule€16„810.1,€Immunity,€for€theÏCommitteeððs€consideration.€€ÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °ÒÓÓÌÔ‡ X¬?XX X¬?Ôà@÷ ÷ ìàMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆÐ â(2$) ÐÌà@  ìàTITLE€16€„€COURTS,€JUDGES,€AND€ATTORNEYSˆÌÌà@÷ ÷ ìàCHAPTER€800€„€MISCELLANEOUSˆÌÌÐ ..~)/ Ðà ¸ àADD€new€Rule€16„810.1,€as€follows:ÌÌÌRule€16„810.1.€€IMMUNITYÌÌÌ€€(a)€Immunity€From€Civil€LiabilityÌÌ€€€€(1)€€Official€ConductÌÌà ¸ à€€€€Members€of€the€Commission,ÏInvestigative€Counsel,€Executive€Secretary,€andÏtheir€employees€and€designees€shall€beÏabsolutely€immune€from€suit€and€civil€liabilityÏfor€any€conduct€or€communication€in€the€courseÏof€their€official€duties.ÌÌ€€€€(2)€€Communications€With€DisciplinaryÏAuthoritiesÌÌà ¸ à€€€€Communications€with€the€Commission,ÏInvestigative€Counsel,€Executive€Secretary,€andÏtheir€employees€and€designees€relating€toÏalleged€sanctionable€conduct€or€incapacity,Ïincluding€testimony€or€statements€given€in€aÏdisciplinary€action,€proceeding,€orÏinvestigation,€shall€be€absolutely€privileged,Ïand€no€claim€or€action€predicated€thereon€shallÏbe€instituted€or€maintained.€€A€complainant€orÏwitness€shall€be€immune€from€suit€and€civilÏliability€for€any€communication€that€isÏprivileged€under€this€section.ÌÌCommittee€note:€€Subsection€(a)(2)€of€this€RuleÏdoes€not€give€immunity€with€respect€to€aÏcommunication€with€a€person€other€than€theÏCommission,€Investigative€Counsel,€ExecutiveÏSecretary,€and€their€employees€and€designees,Ïeven€if€the€communication€is€identical€to€aÏcommunication€that€is€privileged€under€thisÏsection.ÌÌ€€(b)€Immunity€From€Prosecution,€Penalty,€andÏForfeitureÌÌà ¸ à€€In€accordance€with€Md.€Constitution,ÏArt.€IV,€ðð4B€(a),€upon€written€request€or€onÏits€own€initiative,€the€Commission€may,€at€anyÐ ..~)/ Ðstage€of€the€proceedings,€grant€immunity€fromÏprosecution€or€from€penalty€or€forfeiture€toÏany€person€and€order€the€person€to€testify,Ïanswer,€or€otherwise€provide€information,Ïnotwithstanding€the€personððs€claim€of€privilegeÏagainst€self„incrimination.€€If€the€CommissionÏgrants€immunity€to€a€person,€the€CommissionÏshall€inform€the€person€in€writing€of€the€scopeÏof€the€immunity€the€person€will€receive.€€NoÏperson€who€has€been€granted€immunity€under€thisÏsection€shall€refuse€to€answer€or€provideÏinformation€on€the€basis€of€the€privilegeÏagainst€self„incrimination.ÌÌCross€reference:€See€Code,€Courts€&€Jud.€Proc.ÏArt.€ðð13„401€„€403.ÌÌSource:€€This€Rule€is€new.ÌÌÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` Òà  àRule€16„810.1€was€accompanied€by€the€following€ReporterððsÌÌNote.ÌÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °Òà ¸ àThis€Rule€is€new.€€ÌÌà ¸ àSection€(a)€is€patterned€after€proposedÏnew€Rule€16„724,€Immunity€from€Civil€Liability,Ïin€the€proposed€revised€Attorney€DisciplinaryÏRules.€ÌÌà ¸ àSubsection€(a)(1)€provides€for€immunityÏfrom€suit€for€the€Commission,€InvestigativeÏCounsel,€Executive€Secretary,€and€other€membersÏof€the€staff€in€the€course€of€their€officialÏduties.€€This€is€based€on€the€principle€ofÏprosecutorial€immunity€which€includes€immunityÏfor€investigatory€activities€prior€to€aÏprosecution.ÌÌà ¸ àThe€Committee€proposes€the€addition€ofÏsubsection€(a)(2)€to€encourage€complainants€andÏwitnesses€to€participate€fully€in€judicialÏdisciplinary€proceedings€without€fear€ofÏretaliation.€It€is€based€in€principle€onÏArticle€IV,€ðð4B€of€the€Maryland€ConstitutionÏwhich,€in€subsection€(a)(1)(ii),€allows€theÏCommission€to€grant€immunity€from€prosecutionÐ ..~)/ Ðto€witnesses€and,€in€subsection€(a)(3),Ïprovides€that€all€proceedings€before€theÏCommission€are€confidential€and€privileged,Ïexcept€as€provided€by€rule€of€the€Court€ofÏAppeals€or€as€ordered€by€the€Court€of€Appeals.ÌÌà ¸ àSection€(b)€sets€out€the€procedures€byÏwhich€the€Commission€may€grant€immunity€fromÏprosecution,€penalty,€and€forfeiture€and€compelÏa€person€to€provide€information.€€This€sectionÏexpands€upon€current€Rule€16„806€(b)(4),€whichÏis€proposed€to€be€deleted.€€New€Rule€16„810.1Ï(b)€makes€clear€that€the€Commission€may€grantÏimmunity€at€any€stage€of€the€proceedings.€ÏExcept€where€a€grant€of€immunity€is€on€theÏCommissionððs€own€initiative,€a€request€forÏimmunity€must€be€in€writing.€€All€grants€ofÏimmunity€must€be€in€writing€and€specify€theÏscope€of€the€immunity.ÌÔ#† X¬?XX X¬?µ^#ÔÌÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` ÒÓÓà  àThe€Vice€Chair€inquired€as€to€whether€this€is€a€new€rule,€andÏthe€Chair€answered€that€it€is.€€The€Rule€is€in€accord€with€ArticleÏIV,€ðð4B€of€the€Maryland€Constitution.€€There€being€no€changes,€theÏRule€was€approved€as€presented.Ìà  àThe€Chair€presented€Rule€16„813,€Maryland€Code€of€JudicialÏConduct,€for€the€Committeeððs€consideration.€€ÌÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °ÒÓÓÔ‡ X¬?XX X¬?Ôà@÷ ÷ ìàMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆÐ –#æ# ÐÌà@  ìàTITLE€16€„€COURTS,€JUDGES,€AND€ATTORNEYSˆÌÌà@÷ ÷ ìàCHAPTER€800€„€MISCELLANEOUSˆÌÌÌà ¸ àAMEND€Rule€16„813€to€add€a€preamble€and€toÏdelete€Canon€6B,€as€follows:ÌÌÌRule€16„813.€€MARYLAND€CODE€OF€JUDICIAL€CONDUCTÌÐ ..~)/ Ðà@((&ìàò òPREAMBLEó óˆÐ ° ÐÌà ¸ àò òOur€legal€system€is€based€on€the€principleÐ tÄ Ðthat€an€independent,€fair€and€competentÏjudiciary€will€interpret€and€apply€the€lawsÏthat€govern€us.€€The€role€of€the€judiciary€isÏcentral€to€American€concepts€of€justice€and€theÏrule€of€law.€€Intrinsic€to€all€sections€of€thisÏCode€are€the€precepts€that€judges,€individuallyÏand€collectively,€must€respect€and€honor€theÏjudicial€office€as€a€public€trust€and€strive€toÏenhance€and€maintain€confidence€in€our€legalÏsystem.€€The€judge€is€an€arbiter€of€facts€andÏlaw€for€the€resolution€of€disputes€and€a€highlyÏvisible€symbol€of€government€under€the€rule€ofÏlaw.ÌÌà ¸ àThe€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€consists€ofÏbroad€statements€called€Canons,€specific€rulesÏset€forth€in€Sections€under€each€Canon,€andÏCommentary.€€The€text€of€the€Canons€and€theÏSections€is€authoritative.€€The€Commentary,€byÏexplanation€and€example,€provides€guidance€withÏrespect€to€the€purpose€and€meaning€of€theÏCanons€and€Sections.€€The€Commentary€is€notÏintended€as€a€statement€of€additional€rules.€€ÌÌà ¸ àIt€is€not€intended€that€everyÏtransgression€of€the€Code€will€result€inÏdisciplinary€action.€€Whether€disciplinaryÏaction€is€appropriate,€and€the€degree€ofÏdiscipline€to€be€imposed,€should€be€determinedÏthrough€a€reasonable€and€reasoned€applicationÏof€the€text€and€should€depend€on€such€factorsÏas€the€seriousness€of€the€transgression,Ïwhether€there€is€a€pattern€of€improperÏactivity,€and€the€effect€of€the€improperÏactivity€on€others€or€on€the€judicial€system.ó óÐ Z%ª % ÐÌà ¸ àò òThe€Canons€and€Sections€are€rules€ofÐ 'n"' Ðreason.€€They€should€be€applied€consistent€withÏconstitutional€requirements,€statutes,€otherÏcourt€rules,€and€decisional€law€and€in€theÏcontext€of€all€relevant€circumstances.€€TheÏCode€is€to€be€construed€so€as€not€to€impinge€onÏthe€essential€independence€of€judges€in€makingÏjudicial€decisions.ó óÐ L-œ(. ÐÐ ..~)/ Ðà ¸ àò òThe€Code€is€designed€to€provide€guidanceÐ ° Ðto€judges€and€candidates€for€judicial€officeÏand€to€provide€a€structure€for€regulatingÏconduct€through€disciplinary€agencies.€€It€isÏnot€designed€or€intended€as€a€basis€for€civilÏliability€or€criminal€prosecution.€€The€purposeÏof€the€Code€would€be€subverted€if€the€Code€wereÏinvoked€for€mere€tactical€advantage€in€aÏproceeding.€€The€Code€is€intended€to€stateÏbasic€standards€which€should€govern€the€conductÏof€all€judges€and€to€provide€guidance€to€assistÏjudges€in€establishing€and€maintaining€highÏstandards€of€judicial€and€personal€conduct.ó óÐ H˜  ÐÌà@aa'ìàCANON€1ˆÌÌà@o o ìàIntegrity€and€Independence€of€the€JudiciaryˆÌÌ€€€.€.€.ÌÌà@aa'ìàCANON€6ˆÌÌà@  ìàò òComplianceò òó ó€Applicabilityó óˆÐ l ÐÌ€€A.€€This€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€applies€toÏeach€judge€of€the€Court€of€Appeals,€the€CourtÏof€Special€Appeals,€the€Circuit€Courts,€theÏDistrict€Court€and€the€Orphans'€Courts.ÌÌCommittee€note:€€Sec.€6€A€is€derived€fromÏcurrent€Md.€Ethics€Rule€14€a.ÌÌ€€ò òB.€€Violation€of€any€of€the€provisions€ofÐ ð @  Ðthis€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€by€a€judge€may€beÏregarded€as€conduct€prejudicial€to€the€properÏadministration€of€justice€within€the€meaning€ofÏMaryland€Rule€16„803€(g)€of€the€RulesÏconcerning€the€Commission€on€JudicialÏDisabilities.ó óÐ <&Œ!& Ðò òÌCommittee€note:€Sec.€6€B€is€derived€fromÏcurrent€Md.€Ethics€Rule€15,€which€provides€thatÏa€violation€of€an€Ethics€Rule€is€conductÏprejudicial€to€the€proper€administration€ofÏjustice.€€Whether€the€violation€actually€is€orÏis€not€prejudicial€conduct€is€to€be€determinedÏby€the€Court€of€Appeals€of€Maryland.€€ArticleÏIV,€Sec.€4€B€of€the€Md.€Constitution€gives€thatÐ ..~)/ ÐCourt€the€authority€to€discipline€any€judgeÏupon€recommendation€of€the€Commission€onÏJudicial€Disabilities.€€This€disciplinary€powerÏis€alternative€to€and€cumulative€with€theÏimpeachment€authority€of€the€General€Assembly.ó óÐ 8ˆ ÐÌ€€ò òC.ó ó€ò òB.ó ó€€This€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€appliesÐ ü L Ðto€each€judge€of€one€of€those€courts€who€hasÏresigned€or€retired,€if€the€judge€is€subject€toÏand€approved€for€recall€for€temporary€serviceÏunder€Article€IV,€Section€3A€of€theÏConstitution,€except€that€Canon€4€C€(Civil€andÏCharitable€Activities);€Canon€4€D€(FinancialÏActivities)€ð"ð€paragraphs€(1),€(2),€and€(3);ÏCanon€4€G€(Fiduciary€Activities);€and€Canon€4€HÏ(Arbitration)€do€not€apply€to€any€such€formerÏjudge.ÌCommittee€note:€Sec.€6€ò òCó ó€ò òBó ó€is€derived€fromÐ ² Ðcurrent€Md.€Ethics€Rule€14€b.€(1).ÌÌà ¸ àParagraph€C€of€the€Compliance€Section€ofÏthe€ABA€Code€exempts€a€retired€judge€subject€toÏrecall€from€only€one€provision€of€the€ABA€Code:ÏThe€provision€which€prohibits€a€judge€fromÏserving€on€a€governmental€commission€concernedÏwith€matters€other€than€improvement€of€the€law,Ïlegal€system,€or€the€administration€of€justice.ÌÌ€€€.€.€.ÌÌSource:€€This€Rule€is€ò òformeró ó€ò òderived€fromó ó€RuleÐ ,| Ð1231.ÌÌÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` Òà  àRule€16„813€was€accompanied€by€the€following€ReporterððsÌÌNote.ÌÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °Òà ¸ àThe€proposed€amendment€to€Rule€16„813€addsÏa€preamble€and€deletes€Canon€6€B.ÌÌà ¸ àThe€proposed€Preamble€is€derived€from€theÏPreamble€of€the€1990€American€Bar€AssociationÏ(ð ðABAðð)€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct.€€TheÏSubcommittee€has€incorporated€the€substance€ofÏmuch€of€the€ABA€Preamble,€removing€someÏlanguage€and€changing€the€order€of€some€of€theÏparagraphs.€€One€of€the€paragraphs€that€wasÐ ..~)/ Ðdeleted€addresses€the€use€of€the€words€ð ðshall,ððÏð ðshould,ðð€and€ð ðmayðð€in€the€Code.€€ThisÏparagraph€was€deleted€because€the€Maryland€CodeÏof€Judicial€Conduct€is€derived€primarily€fromÏthe€1972€ABA€Code€(which€has€no€preamble)€andÏthe€Md.€Ethics€Rules€that€were€in€effect€priorÏto€the€adoption€of€the€Maryland€Code,€neitherÏof€which€consistently€use€the€words€ð ðshall,ððÏð ðshould,ðð€and€ð ðmayðð€in€the€manner€set€out€inÏthe€Preamble€to€the€1990€ABA€Code.€€TheÏSubcommittee€believes€that€while€aÏcomprehensive€review€of€the€Maryland€Code€ofÏJudicial€Conduct€in€light€of€the€1990€ABA€CodeÏmay€be€desirable,€such€review€should€not€delayÏadoption€of€the€proposed€changes€to€Rule€16„813Ïand€the€Rules€concerning€the€Commission€onÏJudicial€Disabilities.ÌÌà ¸ àThe€Canons€of€the€Maryland€Code€ofÏJudicial€Conduct€are€unchanged€except€for€theÏdeletion€of€Canon€6B,€the€substance€of€whichÏhas€been€incorporated€in€the€definition€ofÏð ðsanctionable€conduct.ðð€€See€Rule€16„803Ï(i)(1).ÌÔ#† X¬?XX X¬?:q#ÔÌÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` ÒÓÓà  àThe€Chair€explained€that€this€was€added€by€the€Subcommittee€andÏis€based€on€the€Preamble€of€the€1990€American€Bar€Association€(ABA)ÏCode€of€Judicial€Conduct.€€One€of€the€paragraphs€which€was€deletedÏwas€the€one€pertaining€to€the€use€of€the€words€ð ðshallðð€and€ð ðshould.ðð€ÏIt€was€deleted€because€the€Maryland€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€isÏprimarily€derived€from€the€1972€ABA€Code,€which€has€no€preamble,€andÏthe€Maryland€Ethics€Rules,€which€were€in€effect€prior€to€the€adoptionÏof€the€Maryland€Code.€€Neither€of€these€use€the€words€ð ðshallðð€andÏð ðshouldðð€in€the€manner€set€out€in€the€1990€ABA€Code.Ìà  àMr.€Lemmey€remarked€that€the€Preamble€is€very€helpful€inÏdealing€with€the€public.€€It€provides€in€the€third€paragraph:€ð ðIt€isÐ L-œ(. Ðnot€intended€that€every€transgression€of€the€Code€will€result€inÏdisciplinary€action.ððÌà  àThere€being€no€changes€to€Rule€16„813,€the€Rule€was€approved€asÏpresented.ÌÓÓÌAgenda€Item€3.€€Consideration€of€a€proposed€amendment€to€Rule€Ì€€13„102€(Scope).Ì________________________________________________________________Ìà  àÌÓÓà  àMr.€Sykes€presented€Rule€13„102,€Scope,€for€the€CommitteeððsÏconsideration.€€ÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °ÒÓÓÌÔ‡ X¬?XX X¬?Ôà@÷ ÷ ìàMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆÐ ”ä ÐÌà@k k ìàTITLE€13€„€RECEIVERS€AND€ASSIGNEESˆÌÌà@Ü Ü ìàCHAPTER€500€„€GENERAL€PROVISIONSˆÌÌÌà ¸ àAMEND€Rule€13„102€to€provide€that€theÏrules€in€Title€13€do€not€apply€to€the€estate€ofÏa€receiver€appointed€pursuant€to€theÌterms€of€a€security€agreement€under€certainÏcircumstances,€as€follows:ÌÌÌRule€13„102.€€SCOPEÌÌ€€€.€.€.ÌÌ€€(b)€€No€ApplicationÌÌà ¸ à€€The€rules€in€this€Title€do€not€apply€toÏthe€estate€of:ÌÌ€€€€(1)€€a€receiver€appointed€pursuant€to€theÏterms€of€a€mortgage€or€deed€of€trust€pendingÏforeclosure€who€takes€charge€of€only€theÏproperty€subject€to€that€mortgage€or€deed€ofÏtrust;€ò òoró óÐ j,º'- ÐÌ€€€€ò ò(2)€€a€receiver€appointed€pursuant€to€theÐ ..~)/ Ðterms€of€a€security€agreement€who€takes€chargeÏof€only€the€property€subject€to€that€agreement;Ïoró óÐ tÄ ÐÌ€€€€ò ò(2)ó ó€ò ò(3)ó ó€€a€person€appointed€for€purposes€ofÐ 8ˆ Ðenforcement€of€health,€housing,€fire,€building,Ïelectric,€licenses€and€permits,€plumbing,Ïanimal€control,€or€zoning€codes€or€for€theÏpurpose€of€abating€a€public€nuisance.ÌÌ€€€.€.€.ÌÌÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` ÒÐ  *z  Ðà  àRule€13„102€was€accompanied€by€the€following€ReporterððsÌÌNote.ÌÌÒ` °ÒÒ` °Òà ¸ àThe€Probate/Fiduciary€SubcommitteeÏrecommends€this€amendment€to€Rule€13„102€toÏexempt€from€the€scope€of€the€rules€in€Title€13Ïthe€estate€of€a€receiver€appointed€pursuant€toÏthe€terms€of€a€security€agreement€who€takesÏcharge€of€only€the€property€subject€to€thatÏagreement.€€This€estate€is€similar€to€theÏestate€of€a€receiver€appointed€pursuant€to€aÏmortgage€or€deed€of€trust€pending€foreclosure,Ïwhich€is€exempted€under€subsection€(b)(1)€ofÏthe€Rule.ÌÌÔ#† X¬?XX X¬?.’#ÔÌÒ°` ÒÒ°` ÒÓÓà  àMr.€Sykes€explained€that€the€Probate/Fiduciary€Subcommittee€isÏrecommending€this€amendment,€because€the€members€were€of€the€opinionÏthat€it€is€not€necessary€for€a€receiver€appointed€pursuant€to€theÏterms€of€a€security€agreement€who€takes€charge€of€only€the€propertyÏsubject€to€that€agreement€to€be€subject€to€all€of€the€ReceivershipÏRules.€€Mr.€Sykes€moved€to€approve€the€amendment€to€Rule€13„102,€theÏmotion€was€seconded,€and€it€passed€unanimously.Ìà  àThe€Chair€adjourned€the€meeting.€Ì