Judicial candidates and sitting judges urge transparency, stronger investigations for Montana Judicial Standards Commission

Seven judges interviewed for seats on the Judicial Standards Commission told a legislative special select committee that the commission should be consistent, transparent and better resourced — with competent investigators and clear written explanations for complaint dispositions.

The committee, meeting to review applicants for the five‑member commission, heard recurring themes across candidates including the need for: (1) careful selection of neutral investigators, (2) clearer written findings when complaints are dismissed or sustained, (3) options for remedial training or mentoring, and (4) clearer boundaries about when campaign conduct can be the subject of a commission complaint.

Judge Ashley Harada, a district court judge in Yellowstone County who said she has personal experience with the disciplinary process, told the committee an investigator assigned to her case acted unprofessionally. “He threatened me. He told me that hell would rain down on me if I didn't do what he stated I should do,” Harada said, and…