RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia lawmakers have moved to reinstate secrecy around judicial misconduct after a brief period of increased transparency revealed disciplinary actions taken against state judges.
In 2024, the Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission (JIRC) published an annual report naming judges who were formally disciplined for violating judicial canons, following a 2023 bipartisan law intended to increase public accountability. That report included details about a Richmond judge accused of making unwanted advances toward female attorneys and a Roanoke judge who engaged in an inappropriate relationship connected to a criminal case.
That transparency window closed last year when the General Assembly unanimously passed new legislation giving lawmakers exclusive access to future JIRC reports and discretion over whether they are released publicly. As a result, the public will not automatically learn which judges are disciplined in 2025 unless legislators choose to disclose the information.
Supporters of the change, including Sen. Creigh Deeds (D), initially argued judges deserved greater privacy, citing concerns about reputational harm. However, Deeds later acknowledged he was unaware that the reports only included substantiated cases resulting in discipline, not unfounded complaints.
Judicial ethics experts warn the shift could undermine public trust. While most states conduct judicial discipline hearings publicly, Virginia maintains one of the most opaque systems. Critics argue that shielding judges from scrutiny creates a double standard compared to other public officials.
Advocates say transparency is essential for accountability in a system that wields significant power over citizens’ rights and liberties.
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