The Judicial Council of the Fifth Circuit has adopted "Rules Governing Complaints of Judicial Misconduct or Disability." These rules apply to judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and to the district, bankruptcy, and magistrate judges of federal courts within the Fifth Circuit.

Written complaints should be filed with the Circuit Clerk at the following address:

Clerk
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
600 S. Maestri Place
New Orleans, LA 70130-3408
Phone: 504-310-7700

Complaints may be made about the behavior of a federal judge but not about the decisions made by the judge in a case.

Codes of Conduct and related sources of authority provide standards of behavior for judges and others in the federal court family. The Judicial Conduct and Disability Act allows complaints alleging that a federal judge has engaged in “conduct prejudicial to the effective and expeditious administration of the business of the courts” or has become, by reason of a temporary or permanent condition, “unable to discharge the duties” of the judicial office.