§25.  Judiciary Commission

Section 25.(A)  Composition.  The judiciary commission shall consist of

(1)  one court of appeal judge and two district court judges selected by the supreme court;

(2)  two attorneys admitted to the practice of law for at least ten years and one attorney admitted to the practice of law for at least three years but not more than ten years, selected by the Conference of Court of Appeal Judges or its successor.  They shall not be judges, active or retired, or public officials, other than notaries public; and

(3)  three citizens, not lawyers, judges active or retired, or public officials, selected by the Louisiana District Judges' Association or its successor.  

(B)  Term; Vacancy.  A member of the commission shall serve a four-year term and shall be ineligible to succeed himself.  His term shall end upon the occurrence of any event which would have made him ineligible for appointment.  When a vacancy occurs, a successor shall be appointed for a four-year term by the authority which appointed his predecessor.  

(C)  Powers.  On recommendation of the judiciary commission, the supreme court may censure, suspend with or without salary, remove from office, or retire involuntarily a judge for willful misconduct relating to his official duty, willful and persistent failure to perform his duty, persistent and public conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute, conduct while in office which would constitute a felony, or conviction of a felony.  On recommendation of the judiciary commission, the supreme court may disqualify a judge from exercising any judicial function, without loss of salary, during pendency of proceedings in the supreme court.  On recommendation of the judiciary commission, the supreme court may retire involuntarily a judge for disability that seriously interferes with the performance of his duties and that is or is likely to become permanent.  The supreme court shall make rules implementing this Section and providing for confidentiality and privilege of commission proceedings.  

(D)  Other Disciplinary Action.  Action against a judge under this Section shall not preclude disciplinary action against him concerning his license to practice law.