Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission - Duties

Duties

The commission is responsible for creating a list of three candidates to fill vacant positions on the state judiciary. The commission follows a set of guidelines in the state constitution to determine eligibility for the positions, and to ensure that they only nominate the best qualified candidates that are available. The Governor then chooses a candidate from the list to fill the vacant position. The commission has the authority to choose who, among the sitting supreme court associate justices, who will serve as Chief Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court, and to certify who will be the senior judges on the lower state courts. The commission is also responsible for determining the qualifications of candidates who apply for state judgeship.

The commission is responsible for addressing complaint about the courts and investigating problems within the courts. The commission also audits the judges to ensure compliance with the Code of Judicial Conduct. Although the commissions has no power to enforce its decisions, it does submit reports to the Supreme Court who decide what portion of their recommendations should be followed.

The commission is a constitutional body established by article six of the Constitution of Indiana. In addition to its constitutional authority the Indiana General Assembly has granted the commission additional statutory authority in the Indiana Code.