North Carolina voters would decide on public judge discipline hearings

The proposed constitutional amendment would set the commission's membership and require its disciplinary hearings and sanctions to be public. The commission would have 15 members: five judges, five licensed attorneys, and five residents who are neither lawyers nor judges. The Chief Justice, State Bar officers, and Governor would appoint their respective members. Voters must approve the amendment for it to take effect. The amendment would take effect when election results are certified, if a majority of votes cast favor it.

The proposed statute would require commission disciplinary hearings and recommendations to the Supreme Court to be public. These rules concern disciplinary cases against judges and justices handled by the Judicial Standards Commission and the Supreme Court. This section would take effect only if voters approve the constitutional amendment. The proposed statutory section would take effect January 1, 2027, if voters approve the constitutional amendment.