( CNN ) -- Two disgruntled Louisiana newlyweds have called for the dismissal of a justice of the peace who refused to marry the interracial couple , and have even been joined in their fight by the governor , who said the official 's license should be revoked . The removal of embattled Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell lies with the Louisiana Supreme Court . But unseating a Louisiana justice of the peace is n't easy . Beth and Terence McKay -- who are now married -- stepped into the national spotlight when Keith Bardwell , a justice of the peace for Tangipahoa Parish 's 8th Ward , refused them a license . Bardwell told Hammond 's Daily Star last week that he was concerned for the children who might be born of the relationship and that , in his experience , most interracial marriages do n't last . `` I 'm not a racist , '' Bardwell told the newspaper . `` I do ceremonies for black couples right here in my house . My main concern is for the children . '' Despite a national uproar and a call by Louisiana Gov . Bobby Jindal for him to lose his license , Bardwell , 56 , said he has no regrets . `` It 's kind of hard to apologize for something that you really and truly feel down in your heart you have n't done wrong , '' he told CNN affiliate WAFB on Saturday . A state statute says justices of the peace may perform marriage ceremonies , but it does not require such officials to do so , Tammi Arender , a spokeswoman for the Louisiana attorney general , told CNN on Monday . To push for Bardwell 's removal , the McKays must look to the Louisiana Supreme Court . Justices of the peace in Louisiana are elected , but the state 's high court has jurisdiction over whether they can keep their jobs , Louisiana Supreme Court spokeswoman Valerie Willard said . The Judiciary Commission , a judicial body independent of the Supreme Court , has the power to review a case and make recommendations to the high court . After receiving a complaint , the Judiciary Commission would determine whether the grievance was frivolous . Anyone can file a complaint ; no attorney is needed , Willard said , though Beth McKay said she has retained one . The commission would proceed with an investigation if there were allegations of ethical misconduct , or arguments that the justice of the peace was in violation of professional responsibility , Willard said . An investigation could take months or even a year , Willard said . And with closed-door hearings and records of investigations kept confidential , it 's hard to tell how long the average investigation lasts . A lawyer from the Office of the Special Counsel , a branch of the commission , would prosecute the elected official , who would have an opportunity to defend himself . During the investigation , if the prosecutor could show the official was hindering the fair and due implementation of his job , the commission could suggest that the Louisiana Supreme Court enact a temporary suspension with pay . Barring such an incident , the justice of the peace could continue to oversee cases throughout the commission 's confidential investigation . If the nine-member commission , by majority decision , decided the official acted unethically , it would recommend sanctions to the court . Those recommendations and the commission 's findings would be public . Willard could not say whether Bardwell would be brought to the commission or what its decision would be . `` It 's up to the judges to interpret the law , '' she said . If Bardwell were brought before the commission and it decided against him , recommended sanctions could include a public censure , suspension with or without pay , or removal . The court , after reviewing the commission 's findings , could follow the commission 's suggestions or opt for stronger or weaker sanctions . Or the seven-member court could decide the justice of the peace did not behave unethically , which would allow him to keep his job , Willard said .
Louisiana statute does n't require justice of peace to perform marriage ceremonies . Power to oust justice of the peace rests with Louisiana Supreme Court . Judiciary Commission members make recommendations to the court . Supreme Court spokeswoman Barbara Willard : ` ` It 's up to the courts ''