Legal Definitions - censure

Censure refers to a formal and strong expression of disapproval or condemnation issued by an official body or authority. It is a serious reprimand, often public, indicating that an individual or group has acted improperly, violated established rules, or failed to meet expected standards.

• Example 1: Professional Misconduct

  A state bar association, responsible for regulating lawyers, conducts an investigation into an attorney who repeatedly missed court deadlines and failed to communicate adequately with clients. After reviewing the evidence, the bar association's disciplinary committee issues a formal censure against the attorney.

  This illustrates censure because the bar association, an official professional body, is formally expressing strong disapproval of the attorney's professional conduct. It serves as a serious reprimand for violating professional standards, which becomes part of the attorney's public record.

• Example 2: Government Ethics Violation

  During a public hearing, a congressional ethics committee finds that a representative misused campaign funds for personal expenses. While not recommending expulsion, the committee votes to formally censure the representative for their unethical behavior.

  Here, the congressional ethics committee, an official legislative body, is issuing a formal and public condemnation of one of its members. This censure is a severe reprimand for violating ethical rules, signaling a significant breach of public trust and official conduct.

• Example 3: Academic Dishonesty

  A university's faculty senate investigates a professor accused of plagiarizing portions of a research paper. After a thorough review, the senate determines the allegations are true and issues a formal censure against the professor, placing it in their personnel file.

  This is an example of censure because the faculty senate, an official academic authority, is formally and strongly disapproving of the professor's academic dishonesty. It acts as an official reprimand for violating the university's standards of academic integrity, carrying significant professional consequences.