Tex. Gov't Code Section 33.032
Confidentiality of Papers, Records, and Proceedings


(a)

Except as otherwise provided by this section and Section 33.034 (Review of Commission Decision), the papers filed with and proceedings before the commission are confidential prior to the filing of formal charges.

(b)

The formal hearing and any evidence introduced during the formal hearing, including papers, records, documents, and pleadings filed with the clerk, shall be public.

(c)

On issuance of a public admonition, warning, reprimand, or public requirement that a person obtain additional training or education by the commission, the record of the informal appearance and the documents presented to the commission during the informal appearance that are not protected by attorney-client or work product privilege shall be public.

(d)

The disciplinary record of a judge, including any private sanctions, is admissible in a subsequent proceeding before the commission, a special master, a special court of review, or a review tribunal.

(e)

On the filing of a written request by a judge, the commission may release to the person designated in the request, including the judge, the number, nature, and disposition of a complaint filed against the judge with the commission, except that the commission may refuse to release the identity of a complainant.

(f)

The commission may release to the Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel of the State Bar of Texas information indicating that an attorney, including a judge who is acting in the judge’s capacity as an attorney, has violated the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct.

(g)

If the commission issues an order suspending a judge who has been indicted for a criminal offense, the order, any withdrawal of the order, and all records and proceedings related to the suspension shall be public.

(h)

A voluntary agreement to resign from judicial office in lieu of disciplinary action by the commission shall be public on the commission’s acceptance of the agreement. The agreement and any agreed statement of facts relating to the agreement are admissible in a subsequent proceeding before the commission. An agreed statement of facts may be released to the public only if the judge violates a term of the agreement.

(i)

Any sanction the commission issues against a judge for knowingly making a false declaration on an application for a place on the ballot as a candidate for a judicial office described by Section 141.0311 (Additional Requirements for Application for Judicial Office), Election Code, any withdrawal of such sanction, and all records and proceedings related to the sanction are a matter of public record.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 486, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 31, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 47, Sec. 1, eff. Oct. 20, 1987; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 462, Sec. 16, eff. June 18, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 917, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 716 (H.B. 2384), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023.

Source: Section 33.032 — Confidentiality of Papers, Records, and Proceedings, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.­33.­htm#33.­032 (accessed Mar. 23, 2024).

33.001
Definitions
33.002
Commission
33.003
Sunset Provision
33.004
Compensation and Expenses of Commission Members, Special Masters, and Other Employees
33.005
Annual Report
33.006
Immunity from Liability
33.007
Distribution of Materials to Judges and the Public
33.008
Judicial Misconduct Information
33.021
General Powers of Commission
33.022
Investigations and Formal Proceedings
33.023
Physical or Mental Incapacity of Judge
33.024
Oaths and Subpoenas
33.025
Enforcement of Subpoena
33.026
Witness Immunity
33.027
Discovery
33.028
Process and Orders
33.029
Witnesses’ Expenses
33.030
Assistance to Commission, Special Master, or Special Court of Review
33.031
No Award of Costs
33.032
Confidentiality of Papers, Records, and Proceedings
33.0032
Conflict of Interest
33.033
Notification to Complainant
33.034
Review of Commission Decision
33.035
Reconsideration of Complaint
33.036
Certain Disclosure of Information
33.037
Suspension Pending Appeal
33.038
Automatic Removal
33.039
Review of Commission Operations and Procedural Rules
33.040
Annual Report
33.0041
Removal of Commission Member
33.0042
Requirements for Office or Employment: Information
33.0043
Commission Member Training
33.0044
Division of Responsibility
33.0045
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement
33.051
Solicitation or Acceptance of Referral Fees or Gifts by Judge
33.0055
Public Meeting
33.0211
Complaints
33.0212
Report and Recommendations on Filed Complaints
33.0213
Notification of Law Enforcement Agency Investigation
33.0321
Confidentiality of Complainant’s Identity
33.0322
Confidential Information Provided to Sunset Advisory Commission
33.02105
Candidate for Judicial Office

Accessed:
Mar. 23, 2024

§ 33.032’s source at texas​.gov