If the ACJC investigates a complaint and believes that the judge has violated the Judicial Code of Conduct, it may choose to discipline the judge privately. The private discipline would be a letter to the judge that says the ACJC has found wrongdoing and is issuing to the judge either:
- Guidance;
- Caution;
- Admonition;
- Reprimand; or
- Censure
The ACJC instead might recommend that the Supreme Court issue public discipline against the judge. Only the New Jersey Supreme Court may publicly discipline a judge. The ACJC could recommend:
- A dismissal of the case with or without private discipline;
- Public admonition;
- Public reprimand;
- Public censure;
- Suspension; or
- Begin proceedings to have the judge removed from the bench.