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Use different channels for these two concerns: file a judicial conduct complaint with the appropriate federal court office if you suspect misconduct by a federal judge; report a potential threat against a federal judge or court facility to the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS). If someone faces an immediate threat to life, call 911. A conduct complaint is not a way to appeal or overturn a judge’s ruling.
Choose the right reporting route
| Concern | Where to report | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Suspected misconduct or disability affecting a federal judge’s judicial duties | The designated court office for that judge; for most judges, the clerk of the regional U.S. court of appeals | Review of qualifying judicial conduct or disability under the federal process |
| Potential threat against a federal judge or federal court facility | USMS public tip channels | Law-enforcement assessment of the threat |
| Emergency or immediate threat to life | 911 | Emergency response; do not rely on a tip website |
How do I report suspected judicial misconduct?
Confirm the complaint is about a federal judge and qualifying conduct
The federal judicial conduct process applies to federal judges and allegations of misconduct or a disability affecting their ability to perform judicial duties. Examples can include bribery, improper ex parte communications, certain abusive or discriminatory conduct, and retaliation. The Judicial Conduct and Disability Act describes misconduct as “conduct prejudicial to the effective and expeditious administration of the business of the courts.” The U.S. Courts’ conduct and disability overview and FAQ explain the process.
A decision you believe is mistaken or unfair, by itself, is not misconduct. Use the case’s available review or appeal process to challenge a ruling. The conduct complaint process does not replace an appeal.
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This process does not cover state-court judges, attorneys, or non-judge court employees. For a concern about a court employee, the Judiciary FAQ directs you to the clerk of the court where that employee works.
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Find the filing office for that judge
For a circuit, district, bankruptcy, or magistrate judge, submit the complaint to the clerk of the regional U.S. court of appeals where the judge serves. There are exceptions: complaints against a Federal Circuit judge go to that court’s circuit executive; complaints against a Court of International Trade or Court of Federal Claims judge go to that court’s clerk. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts does not accept these complaints.
Before submitting, check the relevant court office’s current instructions for its form, address, delivery method, and any required copies. The national FAQ says a particular form is not required, but local instructions may specify a form or other filing requirements. The FAQ was updated in July 2021, so rely on the filing office’s current directions.
Give the reviewer facts they can check
Make the complaint legible and include a contact address, a clear description of what happened, and when and where it happened. Add details that could help someone verify the account, such as transcript references or names of witnesses. The complaint must be signed under penalty of perjury. The Judiciary’s filing FAQ provides the national instructions.
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.
How do I report a threat against a federal judge?
The USMS accepts information about potential threats against the federal judiciary or court facilities. Use one of the public channels listed on its tips page:
- Email: usmstips@usdoj.gov. Do not include file attachments.
- 24-hour tip line: 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332).
- Emergency or immediate threat to life: Call 911. The USMS 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 a tip 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 threat statistics do—and do not—show
USMS figures use distinct measures, so they should not be treated as interchangeable counts of people or confirmed threats. Its FY 2026 data through September 15, 2026, report 622 protective investigations, 448 total threats to judges, and 325 unique judges identified as threatened. The agency defines “total threats” as non-unique: a judge can appear in more than one investigation. These counts do not establish that every investigation resulted in a substantiated threat. The USMS publishes the figures in its judicial-security material.
Separately, the USMS 2026 Judicial Security fact sheet reports 807 threats and inappropriate communications against protected persons in FY 2025. That is a different population and measure from the FY 2026 judge-threat figures; it should not be used as a direct comparison. See the USMS 2026 Judicial Security fact sheet.
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