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Adjudications & Decisions

When FINRA determines that violations of securities rules have occurred and formal disciplinary action is necessary, the Enforcement Department files a complaint with the Office of Hearing Officers (OHO).

The Office arranges a three-person panel to hear the case. The panel is chaired by a hearing officer who is an employee of the Office of Hearing Officers. The Chief Hearing Officer appoints two industry panelists, drawn primarily from a pool of current and former securities industry members of FINRA's District Committees, as well as its Market Regulation Committee, former members of FINRA's National Adjudicatory Council (NAC) and former FINRA Governors.

At the hearing, the parties present evidence for the panel to determine whether a firm or individual has engaged in conduct that violates FINRA rules, SEC regulations or federal securities laws. In reaching its decision, the hearing panel also considers previous court, SEC, and NAC decisions to determine if violations occurred. The NAC is the national committee which reviews initial decisions rendered in FINRA disciplinary and membership proceedings.

For each case, the hearing panel will issue a written decision explaining the reasons for its ruling and consult the FINRA Sanction Guidelines to determine the appropriate sanctions if violations have occurred. FINRA also, when feasible and appropriate, can order firms and individuals to make restitution to harmed customers.


Appeals Process

Under FINRA's disciplinary procedures, a firm or individual has the right to appeal a hearing panel decision to the NAC, or the NAC may on its own initiate a review of a decision. On appeal, the NAC will determine if a hearing panel's findings were legally correct, factually supported and consistent with FINRA's Sanction Guidelines. While a panel decision is on appeal, the sanction is not enforced against the firm or individual.

Unless FINRA's Board of Governors decides to review the NAC's appellate decision, that decision represents FINRA's final action. A firm or individual can appeal FINRA's decision to the SEC and then to federal court.


View All Adjudications & Decisions

Choose Year
Date of Decision Proceeding No. Title Type
September 17, 2004 C01040003 Hearing Panel Decision as to Respondent Redacted Decision
September 17, 2004 CAF040056 Order Denying Respondent's Application to Vacate the Temporary Cease and Desist Order Disciplinary Order
September 16, 2004 C9B040033 Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement vs. Robert M. Ryerson

Related Documents

Disciplinary Decision
September 15, 2004 CAF030067 Order Denying Motion to Strike Witnesses

Related Documents

Disciplinary Order
September 15, 2004 CAF040056 Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement vs. L.H. Ross & Company, Inc. Disciplinary Decision
September 13, 2004 C3A030049 Order Precluding Evidence Disciplinary Order
September 09, 2004 C9B040033 Order Requiring Respondent to Supplement his Rule 9252 Requests

Related Documents

Disciplinary Order
September 07, 2004 C3B020015 Davrey Financial Services, Inc. Disciplinary Decision
August 27, 2004 CAF030042 Hearing Panel Decision as to Respondent

Related Documents

Redacted Decision
August 25, 2004 C3A030050 Order Granting Motion for Leave to Offer Telephone Testimony Disciplinary Order
August 20, 2004 C10030003 In the Matter of Department of Enforcement, Complainant vs. Respondent Firm Disciplinary Decision, Redacted Decision
August 19, 2004 ARB040029 Order Deeming Defense as Abandoned, Hearing as Waived, and Nasd Suspension Notice as Final Disciplinary Decision
August 19, 2004 C01040001 Hearing Panel Decision as to Respondent IA and GH

Related Documents

Redacted Decision
August 17, 2004 C3A030050 Order Granting in Part, and Denying in Part, Respondent's Motion for Issuance of Rule 8210 Requests Pursuant to Rule 9252 Disciplinary Order
August 16, 2004 C01020025 Brookes McIntosh Bendetsen Disciplinary Decision
August 16, 2004 CAF010021 J. Alexander Securities, Inc. Disciplinary Decision
August 12, 2004 C9B020032 Rooney A. Sahai Disciplinary Decision
August 11, 2004 C07030065 In the Matter of Department of Enforcement, Complainant vs. Respondent 1 and Respondent 2 Redacted Decision
August 09, 2004 C01020025 Brookes McIntosh Bendetsen Disciplinary Decision
August 09, 2004 C3B020013 Christopher R. Van Dyk Disciplinary Decision
August 06, 2004 CLI030013 Hearing Panel Decision as to Respondent 1, 2, and 3 Redacted Decision
August 06, 2004 CMS030257 Hearing Panel Decision as to Respondent

Related Documents

Redacted Decision
August 02, 2004 CAF040056 Order Granting in Part, and Denying in Part, Enforcement's Motion for Leave to Offer Telephone Testimony Disciplinary Order
July 30, 2004 C9B040013 Order Granting Respondents' Motion to Introduce Expert Testimony Disciplinary Order
July 30, 2004 C06020003 Eric H. Dieffenbach and Michel A. Rooms Disciplinary Decision