OJA

TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court is accepting public comment on proposed changes to Rules 602 through 627 relating to complaints against judges.

Through the proposed amendments, the court seeks to create a clearer and more comprehensive complaint process for the benefit of both complainants and judges.

The court will accept comment until 5 p.m. Monday, December 17, 2018. Comment may be made by email to [email protected] with “Rules 602-627” in the subject line.

The proposed amended rules ares available for review on the Kansas Supreme Court website at www.kscourts.org under the heading What’s New.

Rules 602 through 627 govern the Commission on Judicial Qualifications and its role helping the Supreme Court exercise its responsibility in judicial disciplinary matters. The Supreme Court created the commission in 1974 under authority granted by Article 3 of the Kansas Constitution.

Judges are guided by the Kansas Code of Judicial Conduct, which establishes standards for ethical conduct by judges and judicial candidates. The code’s guidance is to help judges maintain the highest standards of judicial and personal conduct, and to provide a basis for regulating their conduct through disciplinary procedures.