Rule 8.5 - Procedural Rights of Judge(a) Counsel. A Judge may confer with and be represented by counsel at any stage of disciplinary or disability proceedings. If counsel has entered an appearance, all communications and pleadings from the Commission, the executive director, and special counsel shall be directed to the Judge's counsel. In formal proceedings and disability proceedings, a Judge may testify, introduce evidence, and examine and cross-examine witnesses, and the Judge's counsel may introduce evidence and examine and cross-examine witnesses.(b) Guardian ad litem. If it appears to the Commission at any time that a Judge may not be competent to act, the Commission shall appoint a guardian ad litem for the Judge at the Commission's expense. The guardian ad litem may claim and exercise any right or privilege that could be claimed or exercised by the Judge, including the selection of counsel, a request for an independent medical examination, or the commencement of disability proceedings under Rule 33.5. Any notice to be served on the Judge shall also be served on the guardian ad litem. Amended and Adopted by the Court, En Banc, April 20, 2017, effective 7/1/2017. This rule was previously numbered as Rule 28(a) and 28(c).