File a Complaint Against a Judge

Important: The CJP will not investigate complaints that simply disagree with a ruling, sentence, custody decision, or support award. Those are legal errors, addressed through appeal, not judicial misconduct.

Types of conduct the CJP investigates:

1. Abuse of Contempt/Sanctions
2. Administrative Malfeasance/Improper Comments, Treatment of Colleagues and Staff
3. Alcohol or Drug Related Criminal Conduct
4. Bias/Appearance of Bias Toward a Particular Class
5. Bias/Appearance of Bias Not Directed Toward a Particular Class
6. Comment on Pending Case
7. Non-performance of Judicial Functions/Attendance/Sleeping
8. Demeanor/Decorum
9. Disqualification/Disclosure/Post-disqualification Conduct
10. Ex Parte Communications
11. Failure to Cooperate/Lack of Candor with Regulatory Authorities
12. Failure to Ensure Rights
13. Gifts/Loans/Favors/Ticket-Fixing
14. Improper Business, Financial or Fiduciary Activities
15. Improper Political Activities
16. Miscellaneous Off-Bench Conduct
17. Misuse of Court Resources
18. Non-substance Abuse Criminal Conduct
19. Off-Bench Abuse of Office/Misuse of Court Information
20. On-Bench Abuse of Authority in Performance of Judicial Duties
21. Pre-Bench Misconduct
22. Sexual Harassment/Inappropriate Workplace Gender Comments
23. Inability to Perform Judicial Duties/Incapacity
24. Substance Abuse
25. Decisional Delay/False Salary Affidavits

How to file:

Download the official complaint fillable-form below, then mail or fax it to CJP. Or file directly online at cjp.ca.gov.

If you have a disability that prevents you from submitting a written complaint, contact CJP's office for them to accommodate your needs.