Judicial Ethics (Canons)

Question 1

Canon 1

Answer 1

Canon 1:“A judge shall uphold and promote the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.”

CJC 1.2: “A judge shall act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.”

Question 2

Canon 2

Answer 2

“A judge shall perform the duties of judicial office impartially, competently, and diligently.”

CJC 2.2* “A judge shall perform the duties of judicial office, including administrative duties, without bias or prejudice.” CJC 2.3* “A judge shall perform judicial and administrative duties, competently and diligently.” CJC 2.5(A)* “A judge shall be patient, dignified, and courteous” CJC 2.8(B)

Question 3

Judge Discqualification

Answer 3

(A) A judge shall disqualify himself or herself in any proceeding in which the judge’s impartiality might reasonably be questioned, including but not limited to the following circumstances:
(1) The judge has a personal bias or prejudice concerning a party or a party’s lawyer, or personal knowledge of facts that are in dispute in the proceeding.
(2) The judge knows that the judge, the judge’s spouse or domestic partner, or a person within the third degree of relationship to either of them, or the spouse or domestic partner of such a person is: (a) a party to the proceeding, or an officer, director, general partner, managing member, or trustee of a party; (b) acting as a lawyer in the proceeding; (c) a person who has more than a de minimis interest that could be substantially affected by the proceeding; or (d) likely to be a material witness in the proceeding.

Question 4

Canon 3

Answer 4

“A judge shall conduct the judge’s personal and extrajudicial activities to minimize the risk of conflict with the obligations of judicial office.

A judge may engage in extrajudicial activities, except as prohibited by law or this Code. However, when engaging in extrajudicial activities, a judge shall not:* (A) participate in activities that will interfere with the proper performance of the judge’s judicial duties;* (B) participate in activities that will lead to frequent disqualification of the judge;* (C) participate in activities that would appear to a reasonable person to undermine the judge’s independence, integrity, or impartiality;* (D) engage in conduct that would appear to a reasonable person to be coercive; or* (E) make use of court premises, staff, stationery, equipment, or other resources, except for incidental use for activities that concern the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice, or unless such additional use is permitted by law.

Question 5

Canon 4

Answer 5

“A judge or candidate for judicial office shall not engage in political or campaign activity that is inconsistent with the independence, integrity, or impartiality of the judiciary.”

(A) Except as permitted by law, or by Rules 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4, a judge or a judicial candidate shall not:* (1) act as a leader in, or hold an office in, a political organization;* (2) make speeches on behalf of a political organization;* (3) publicly endorse or oppose a candidate for any public office;* (4) solicit funds for, pay an assessment to, or make a contribution to apolitical organization or a candidate for public office;* (5) attend or purchase tickets for dinners or other events sponsored by a political organization or a candidate for public office;* (6) publicly identify himself or herself as a candidate of a political organization;* (7) seek, accept, or use endorsements from a political organization