Judicial Conduct

Canon 1 provides that a judge shall uphold and promote the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety. These are the foundational principles of judicial ethics.

The test is whether the conduct would create in reasonable minds a perception that the judge violated the Code or otherwise reflects adversely on the judge's honesty, impartiality, temperament, or fitness to serve. A judge must avoid not only actual impropriety but also its appearance.

No. A judge shall not abuse the prestige of judicial office to advance the personal or economic interests of the judge or others, or allow others to do so. For example, a judge may not use judicial stationery or title to gain advantage in a private dispute.

Yes, a judge may provide a reference or recommendation based on the judge's personal knowledge, and may use official letterhead if the judge indicates the reference is personal and there is no likelihood of perceived pressure (a comment to Rule 1.3). The judge may not lend the prestige of office to coerce.

A judge shall comply with the law, including the Code of Judicial Conduct. This baseline obligation underlies the more specific rules and means judicial misconduct can stem from ordinary lawbreaking as well as from Code-specific violations.

A judge shall uphold and apply the law, and shall perform all duties of judicial office fairly and impartially. 'Impartially' means absence of bias or prejudice in favor of, or against, particular parties or classes of parties, as well as maintenance of an open mind in considering issues.