Important: This tool helps you format documents for court filing. It does NOT provide legal advice and is NOT a substitute for an attorney. No attorney-client relationship is created.
Advocate Toolkit / Judicial Fitness Complaints
How Do You Report a Judge for Misconduct in Oregon?
This page gives you a free tool to file a complaint against an Oregon state judge or justice of the peace with the Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability. If a judge showed bias, engaged in improper contacts, prejudged a case, or otherwise violated the Code of Judicial Conduct, this helps you put specific incidents in front of the Commission.
When do you need this?
You need this when a judge's conduct -- not just a ruling you dislike -- crossed an ethical line. There is a crucial distinction here. If you think the judge got the law wrong, that is a matter for appeal, not for the Commission. The Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability handles ethical misconduct and fitness: bias or the appearance of it, improper ex parte contacts, prejudging a case before hearing the evidence, refusing to recuse despite a real conflict, treating parties disrespectfully, showing favoritism to one attorney, or being unable to do the job.
Before you file, ask yourself honestly which one you have. A complaint that is really an appeal in disguise gets dismissed. A complaint that describes concrete ethical misconduct has a chance.
The Commission needs specifics, not a general sense of unfairness. Give the case name and number, the dates of hearings, exactly what the judge said or did, and who was present. This process covers Oregon state judges and justices of the peace under standards tied to the Oregon Code of Judicial Conduct and the state constitution. It does not cover federal judges, municipal judges, or arbitrators.
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How does it work?
You answer plain-English questions about the judge, the case, and the conduct -- what the judge said or did, when, and who witnessed it. The tool helps you focus on ethical misconduct rather than disagreements with rulings, so your complaint lands where the Commission can act on it.
It then assembles a structured complaint to the Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability as a Word file. An optional AI pass can organize your account into clearer language, and you always review and approve it. Nothing is stored on our servers; your draft stays in your browser until you generate it. Then you review it, attach anything that supports it, and submit it to the Commission. Read it carefully first, and if your real problem is a legal error rather than misconduct, consider whether an appeal or an attorney's advice is the better path.
Start your filing — freeFrequently asked questions
How do I report a judge in Oregon?
You file a complaint with the Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability, which reviews the conduct of Oregon state judges and justices of the peace. The Commission acts on violations of the Oregon Code of Judicial Conduct and questions of fitness, under standards tied to the state constitution and rules such as CJC Rule 2.2. Give the Commission specifics: the case name and number, dates of hearings, exactly what the judge said or did, and who was present. It does not review federal judges, municipal judges, or arbitrators. This tool helps you build a complaint focused on the kind of conduct the Commission can actually address.
What is the difference between judicial misconduct and a bad ruling?
This is the single most important distinction. A bad ruling -- the judge got the law or facts wrong -- is addressed through appeal, not through the Commission. Judicial misconduct is about ethics and fitness: bias, improper ex parte contact, prejudging a case, refusing to recuse despite a conflict, disrespectful treatment, or favoritism. The Commission cannot overturn a decision or give you a different outcome; it addresses the judge's conduct. If your grievance is really that you lost and think the ruling was wrong, a misconduct complaint will likely be dismissed. Be honest with yourself about which one you have before filing.
Can I report a judge for being biased?
Yes, bias is squarely within the Commission's authority, but you have to show it with specifics rather than assert a general feeling of unfairness. Point to concrete conduct: statements revealing prejudgment, disparate treatment of the parties, undisclosed conflicts, improper ex parte communications, or a refusal to recuse where impartiality was reasonably in question. Note dates, quote what was said as closely as you can, and identify witnesses. Courts and commissions distinguish between a judge who ruled against you and a judge whose conduct shows actual bias -- the details are what make that case.
What is an ex parte contact and why does it matter?
An ex parte contact is generally communication about a case between the judge and one side without the other side present or notified. With limited exceptions, judges are supposed to avoid it, because a fair process depends on both sides hearing and answering what the judge is told. If you learned that opposing counsel or a party communicated with the judge about the substance of your case behind your back, that can be a legitimate basis for a judicial conduct complaint. Describe what you know: who contacted the judge, about what, when, and how you found out.
What can't the Commission on Judicial Fitness do for me?
The Commission handles judicial ethics and fitness -- it does not act as an appeals court. It cannot reverse a ruling, order a new trial, remove your judge from your case for you, or award you damages. Those remedies come through the courts, via appeal, mandamus, motions to disqualify, or other filings. The Commission's role is to address a judge's misconduct or inability to serve, which can lead to discipline. If what you actually need is a different result in your case, look at the appellate and guardianship tools in this toolkit, and consider talking to an attorney about the right procedural path.
Valor Investigations is not a law firm and these tools are not legal advice. They produce drafts based on your answers; you are responsible for reviewing, verifying deadlines, and filing. When possible, have a licensed Oregon attorney review your documents before filing.