§352 Review of Complaint by Chief Judge

Summary

The chief judge must quickly look over any complaint filed under section 351(a) or found under section 351(b). The judge can do a short check to see if the problem can be fixed without a full investigation, or if the complaint is clearly false or cannot be proved. After that quick review the chief judge must write down the reasons for the decision. The judge can dismiss a complaint if it doesn’t follow the rules, is really about the merits of a decision or a judge’s ruling, is frivolous or has no real evidence, or if the short check shows the claims have no basis or are disproved by clear proof. The judge can also end the case if the issue was already fixed or is no longer relevant. A person unhappy with the chief judge’s final order can ask the circuit’s judicial council to review it, but if the council denies review that decision is final and cannot be taken to court. The council may send the review to a panel of at least 5 members, including at least 2 district judges.