Rule 5: Complaints & Responses
Section 1. Written Complaints
Complaints should be reduced to writing and sworn to before a notary public or by an officer authorized to administer oaths under Tennessee law. Complaints must state with reasonable particularity the factual basis of the complaint. Complaints are filed with Disciplinary Counsel at an address designated by the Court.
Section 2. Other Sources
Disciplinary Counsel is authorized to investigate anonymous complaints or information coming from sources other than a written complaint, provided Disciplinary Counsel deems the information sufficiently credible or verifiable through objective sources.
Section 3. Judge's Response to be in Writing.
A judge's response to an initial complaint is to be reduced to writing but is not required to be under oath. Responses filed by others on behalf of the judge are to be reduced to writing and sworn to before a Notary Public or by an officer authorized to administer an oath under Tennessee law. The judge's response is to be filed with Disciplinary Counsel.
[As amended by order entered June 28, 2000, and filed July 10, 2000, and by order filed September 17, 2004.]