Martin named chair of Judicial Standards Commission

RALEIGH – Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake, Jr. appointed Appeals Court Judge John C. Martin the new chairman of the Judicial Standards Commission. Martin replaces Judge Jack Lewis of the Court of Appeals who retired in December.

The Judicial Standards Commission, composed of three judges, two attorneys and two private citizens, hears sensitive cases on judicial conduct. According to state law, the Supreme Court, upon recommendation of the commission, may censure or remove any judge for willful misconduct in office, willful and persistent failure to perform his duties, or conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute."

Chairing this commission is a difficult, time-consuming job, and I am grateful to Judge Martin for accepting this appointment," Lake said.

Judge Martin
Judge John Martin

Martin has served on the Court of Appeals for 11 years and was a resident Superior Court judge from 1977 to 1984 for the 14^th District, Durham County. A democrat, Martin was re-elected in November to an eight-year term on the Court of Appeals.

"Though this position is not one anyone seeks, the work of the commission is important, and I am honored that Chief Justice Lake has asked me to serve as its chairman," Martin said. "Over the years, North Carolina’s judiciary has, with very few exceptions, adhered to high standards of professional conduct in order to earn and maintain the public’s confidence. It is imperative that we, as judges, continue to observe those high standards.

"I look forward to working with North Carolina’s judges to continue to provide the high quality of judicial performance that has been the tradition in this state."

A native of Durham, Martin graduated from Wake Forest University in 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and in 1967 from the Wake Forest University School of Law. He spent two years in the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant for the Military Police Corps., earning an Army Commendation medal.

Martin is married to the former Margaret Rand. He has three daughters, a step-daughter and a step-son.