Use two different reporting routes: file a judicial conduct complaint with the appropriate federal court office for suspected misconduct, and send information about a potential threat against a federal judge or court facility to the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS). If there is an emergency or immediate threat to life, call 911. A conduct complaint cannot overturn a ruling or replace an appeal.
Choose the right reporting route
| Concern | Where to report | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Suspected misconduct or disability affecting a federal judge’s judicial duties | The court office designated for complaints against that judge; most go to the regional U.S. court of appeals clerk | Review of qualifying conduct under the federal judicial conduct process |
| Potential threat against a federal judge or court facility | U.S. Marshals Service tip channels | Law-enforcement assessment of threat information |
| Emergency or immediate threat to life | 911 | Emergency response |
These routes are not interchangeable: a complaint about a judge is not a threat report, and a tip to USMS is not a way to challenge a court decision.
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How do I report suspected judicial misconduct?
Confirm the issue belongs in this process
The federal judicial conduct process covers federal judges and allegations of misconduct or a disability that affects their ability to perform judicial duties. The law defines misconduct as “conduct prejudicial to the effective and expeditious administration of the business of the courts.” Examples can include bribery, improper ex parte communications, certain abusive or discriminatory conduct, and retaliation.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →An unfavorable or allegedly incorrect ruling, by itself, is not misconduct. To challenge a decision, use the review or appeal process available in the case. This conduct process also does not cover state-court judges, attorneys, or non-judge court employees. For a concern about a court employee, the Judiciary directs people to contact the clerk of the court where that employee works.
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Find the correct filing office
The filing office depends on the judge’s court. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts does not accept these complaints.
| Judge | Filing office |
|---|---|
| Circuit, district, bankruptcy, or magistrate judge | Clerk of the regional U.S. court of appeals where the judge serves |
| Federal Circuit judge | Circuit executive of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit |
| Court of International Trade or Court of Federal Claims judge | Clerk of that court |
Check the relevant court office’s current instructions for its form, address, submission method, and any copy requirements. The national Judiciary FAQ says a specific form is not required, but local instructions may set out a form or additional filing requirements. The FAQ was updated in July 2021, so confirm current local procedures before sending a complaint.
Prepare a complaint investigators can check
Make the complaint legible and include a contact address, what happened, when and where it happened, and facts that could help verify the account, such as transcript references or witness information. Sign it under penalty of perjury. Send it to the designated filing office—not to the judge you are complaining about, another Judiciary recipient, or as a filing in an ongoing case.
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The USMS accepts reports of potential threats against the federal judiciary or court facilities. Its public tips page provides these channels:
- Email: [email protected]. Do not include file attachments.
- 24-hour tip line: 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332).
- Emergency or immediate threat to life: call 911. The tips website is not an emergency reporting channel.
For a crime or public-safety concern outside Washington, D.C., the USMS page directs people to local authorities. It also points to FBI tips for suspected federal-law violations, terrorism, or criminal activity. The USMS Judicial Security Division assesses, investigates, and mitigates threats against the judiciary; submitting information does not promise a particular protective measure or outcome.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the public threat figures do—and do not—show
USMS figures use distinct measures and reporting periods, so they should not be treated as interchangeable counts of unique people or confirmed threats.
Quick Recap
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| Figure | What it measures | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 622 protective investigations; 448 total threats to judges; 325 unique judges identified as threatened | USMS FY 2026 data through September 15, 2026 | The 448 total threats are non-unique; a judge may appear in more than one investigation. The figures do not establish that every investigation resulted in a substantiated threat. |
| 807 threats and inappropriate communications against protected persons | USMS FY 2025, as stated in its 2026 Judicial Security fact sheet | This covers a different population and measure from the FY 2026 judge-target figures. |
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