WYOMING COURT RULES

18 However, except in matters of criminal conduct, the Commission shall send the judge a copy of all documents or other matters disclosed. (6) The Commission may disclose information upon inquiry by any state or federal appointment authority, committee, commission, agency, or body empowered to conduct investigations in connection with the selection or appointment of judges. (7) In any pending case in which the subject matter of an investigation, proceeding, or determination becomes public through independent sources or through a waiver of confidentiality by the judge, or in extreme circum- stances when the confidence of the public in the judiciary is involved, or when the interests of the judge involved would be adversely affected, or when the interests of the Commission would be adversely affected, the Commission may issue statements to confirm: (A) the pendency of an investigation, (B) to explain the process, (C) to explain the right of the judge to a fair hearing without pre- judgment, and/or, (D) to state that the judge denies the allegations, (E) the statement shall first be submitted to the judge involved for comment or criticism prior to its release, but the Commission, in its discretion, may release the statement as originally prepared or as the Commission deems appropriate. (8) Any other public statement by the Commission which directly or indirectly identifies the judge shall first be submitted to the Wyoming Supreme Court for its approval, with an explanation why the Commission believes the presumption of confidentiality is overcome. (e) Notices, pleadings, documents, correspondence, and communications. — All notices, pleadings, documents, letters, and papers mailed or otherwise transmitted in any form directed to a judge, counsel for a judge, members of the Commission, staff of the Commission, disciplinary counsel, or any other person or entity pursuant to these rules shall be enclosed in a cover marked “Personal and Confidential”. (f) Oath of witnesses. — Every witness in every proceeding under these rules shall be sworn to tell the truth and not to disclose the existence of the proceeding or the identity of the judge until the proceeding is no longer confidential under these rules. Violation of the oath shall be an act of contempt and punishable as such. (g) Review of file contents. — Investigatory panel members shall have the authority to investigate facts through letters, information obtained by sub- poena and other means of inquiry directed to the complainant, the judge, court officials, attorneys and all others. The investigatory panel may, in its discre- tion, share the information and responses with the parties. Otherwise, the confidentiality of these matters as provided by these rules shall apply. History: Amended January 8, 2014, effective April 1, 2014; amended January 24, 2017, effective May 1, 2017; amended January 24, 2020, effective April 1, 2020.