North Carolina State Bar v. Tillett

JACKSON, Justice.

In this case we consider whether the North Carolina State Bar Disciplinary Hearing Commission (DHC) has the authority to investigate and discipline sitting Judge Jerry R. Tillett (defendant) for his conduct while in office. Because we conclude that the DHC lacks this authority, we reverse the DHC’s denial of defendant’s motion to dismiss and remand this case to the DHC to dismiss with prejudice the complaint of the North Carolina State Bar (State Bar) against defendant.

Defendant has served continuously as a judge in Judicial District One of the General Court of Justice,…