Sec. 46. (a) On recommendation of the commission on judicial qualifications, the supreme court may suspend a judge of the St. Joseph superior court from office without salary when in any court in the United States the judge enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, or is found guilty of, any crime punishable as a felony under the laws of Indiana or of the United States, or of any other crime that involves moral turpitude under that law. If the judge's conviction is reversed, suspension terminates, and the judge shall be paid the judge's salary for the period of suspension. If the judge is suspended and the judge's conviction is affirmed or otherwise becomes final, the supreme court shall remove the judge from office.

(b) On recommendation of the commission on judicial qualifications, the supreme court may:

(1) retire a judge of the St. Joseph superior court for disability that seriously interferes with the performance of the judge's duties and is likely to become permanent; and

(2) censure or remove a judge of the St. Joseph superior court for conduct occurring not more than six (6) years before the commencement of the judge's current term, when the conduct constitutes willful misconduct in office, willful and persistent failure to perform the judge's duties, habitual intemperance, or conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice or that brings or tends to bring judicial office into disrepute.

(c) When the supreme court receives any recommendation from the commission on judicial qualifications, it shall hold a hearing, at which the affected judge is entitled to attend, and shall make a determination as is required. The supreme court shall make rules regarding the convening and conduct of hearings, which shall, upon request of the judge whom it concerns, be public.

[Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-5-40-50.]

As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.12.