The State constitution charges the commission with the responsibility to recommend to the State supreme court that a judge be censured or removed from office for willful misconduct in office, persistent failure or inability to perform duties, habitual intemperance in the use of intoxicants or drugs, or conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. The commission may also recommend that a judge of the El Dorado Justice Court be removed for willful misconduct in office. The commission detailed 11 separate findings of abuse of the contempt powers in its report to the supreme court. This was the commission's eighth recommendation for removal or involuntary retirement since it was established in 1961. In addition, the commission recommended censure for a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge. The action constituted the sixth censure recommendation made by the commission. A total of 73 judges have resigned or retired while under investigation since 1961. During 1980, the commission received and considered 260 complaints, of which 195 were closed without action after initial scrutiny. The five-member commission staff should expand its educational activity with regard to the public, acting as the ombudsman in explaining and clarifying the work of the judges. One footnote is included.