Restore transparency in North Carolina judicial disciplinary process

I am writing to express deep concern over the decisions made by the majority-Republican North Carolina Supreme Court to secretly squash disciplinary action against two Republican judges who admitted to violating the state's judicial code of conduct. The details revealed in a ProPublica investigation are alarming and undermine public trust in the impartiality of the judiciary. In one case, Judge Lori Hamilton unlawfully ordered a witness jailed without justification during a trial. In another, Judge Caroline Burnette's unprofessional courtroom conduct escalated a situation that tragically resulted in a defendant being fatally shot by a police officer. Despite the Judicial Standards Commission recommending public reprimands for these serious violations, the Supreme Court overruled the commission's guidance without any public explanation. This lack of transparency and accountability is unacceptable, especially since North Carolina is already one of the most secretive states when it comes to judicial disciplinary proceedings. The public has a right to know when judges violate ethical standards, and appropriate disciplinary actions must be taken to uphold the integrity of the judicial system. Sweeping such misconduct under the rug only breeds further distrust. I urge the Supreme Court to reconsider these decisions, provide a full public accounting, and take measures to increase transparency around judicial discipline going forward. The appearance of partisan favoritism and unequal treatment deeply erodes faith in our courts as fair arbiters of justice. Decisive action is needed to restore public confidence in this vital institution.