Rule 9.210 - Judicial Tenure Commission; Organization(A) Appointment of Commissioners. As provided by Const 1963, art 6, §30, the Judicial Tenure Commission consists of 9 persons. The commissioners selected by the judges shall be chosen by vote conducted by the state court administrator. The commissioners selected by the state bar members shall be chosen by vote conducted by the State Bar of Michigan. Both elections must be conducted in accordance with nomination and election procedures approved by the Supreme Court. Immediately after a commissioner's selection, the selecting authority shall notify the Supreme Court and the Judicial Tenure Commission.(B) Term of Office. A commissioner's term of office shall be 3 years. To achieve staggered terms, the following terms shall expire in consecutive years:(1) one of the appointments of the Governor, the judge of a court of limited jurisdiction, and one of the attorneys selected by the state bar;(2) the other appointment of the Governor, the probate judge, and the other attorney selected by the state bar;(3) the Court of Appeals judge, the circuit judge, and the judge selected by the state bar.(C) Oath of Office. The following oath shall be administered to all members of the Judicial Tenure Commission: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this state, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of Judicial Tenure Commission member according to the best of my ability."
(D) Vacancy. (1) A vacancy in the office of a commissioner occurs:(a) when a commissioner resigns or is incapable of serving as a member of the commission;(b) when a judge who is a member of the commission no longer holds the office held when selected;(c) when an attorney selected by state bar members is no longer entitled to practice in the courts of this state; and(d) when an appointee of the Governor becomes an attorney.The commission shall notify the appointing authority of a vacancy.
(2) Vacancies must be filled by selection of a successor in the same manner required for the selection of the predecessor. The commissioner selected shall hold office for the unexpired term of the predecessor. Vacancies must be filled within 3 months after the vacancy occurs. If a vacancy occurs after the selection of a new commissioner but before that commissioner's term officially begins, the commissioner-elect shall fill that vacancy and serve the remainder of the unexpired term.(3) A member may resign by submitting a resignation in writing to the commission, which must certify the vacancy to the selecting authority.(E) Commission Expenses. (1) The commission's budget must be submitted to the Supreme Court for approval.(2) The commission's expenses must be included in and paid from the appropriation for the Supreme Court.(3) A commissioner may not receive compensation for services but shall be paid reasonable and necessary expenses.(F) Quorum and Chairperson.(1) At its first meeting in odd-numbered years, the commission shall elect from among its members a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and a secretary, each to serve 2 years. The vice-chairperson shall act as chairperson when the chairperson is absent. If both are absent, the members present may select one among them to act as temporary chairperson.(2) A quorum for the transaction of business by the commission is 5.(3) The vote of a majority of the members constitutes the adoption or rejection of a motion or resolution before the commission. The chairperson is entitled to cast a vote as a commissioner.(4) Regular meetings at which no public hearing is scheduled may be held in person, by telephone, or by teleconference, provided that the telephone or teleconference method is a secure connection.(G) Meetings of Commission. Meetings must be held at the call of the chairperson or the executive director, or upon the written request of 3 commission members.(H) Commission Staff. (1) The commission shall employ an executive director or equivalent person or persons, and such other staff members as the commission concludes are warranted, to perform the duties that the commission directs, subject to the availability of funds under its budget.(2) The executive director, other disciplinary counsel, or any other person who is involved in the investigation or prosecution of a respondent(a) shall not be present or participate in any manner in the decision of the commission to file a complaint, or during the deliberations of the commission to recommend action by the Supreme Court with regard to that respondent, and(b) shall have no substantive ex parte communication with the commission regarding a complaint that the commission has authorized.(3) Commission employees are exempt from the operation of Const 1963, art 11, §5, as are employees of courts of record.Amended effective 9/1/2019.