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.



                                      RULE 1.1
                              Compliance with the Law

A judge shall comply with the law,* including the Code of Judicial Conduct.


                                      COMMENT

See Scope [6].



                                    RULE 1.2
                     Promoting Confidence in the Judiciary

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.*


                                      COMMENT

    [1]  Public confidence in the judiciary is eroded by improper conduct. This
principle applies to both the professional and personal conduct of a judge.

    [2]  A judge should expect to be the subject of public scrutiny that might
be viewed as burdensome if applied to other citizens, and must accept the
restrictions imposed by the Code.

    [3]  Conduct that compromises the independence, integrity, and impartiality
of a judge undermines public confidence in the judiciary.

    [4]  Judges should participate in activities that promote ethical conduct
among judges and lawyers, support professionalism within the judiciary and
the legal profession, and promote access to justice for all.

    [5]  Actual improprieties include violations of law, court rules, or
provisions of this Code.  The test for appearance of impropriety is whether
the conduct would create in reasonable minds a perception that the judge
violated this Code or engaged in other conduct that reflects adversely on
the judge's honesty, impartiality, temperament, or fitness to serve as a judge.


    [6]  A judge should initiate and participate in community outreach
activities for the purpose of promoting public understanding of and
confidence in the administration of justice. In conducting such activities,
the judge must act in a manner consistent with this Code.



                                      RULE 1.3
                    Avoiding Abuse of the Prestige of Judicial Office

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.


                                      COMMENT

    [1]  It is improper for a judge to use or attempt to use his or her
position to gain personal advantage or deferential treatment of any kind.
For example, it would be improper for a judge to allude to his or her
judicial status to gain favorable treatment in encounters with traffic
officials.  Similarly, a judge must not use judicial letterhead to gain an
advantage in conducting his or her personal business.

    [2]  A judge may provide a reference or recommendation for an individual
based upon the judge's personal knowledge.  The judge may use official
letterhead if the judge indicates that the reference is personal and if
there is no likelihood that the use of the letterhead would reasonably be
perceived as an attempt to exert pressure by reason of the judicial office.

    [3]  Judges may participate in the process of judicial selection by
cooperating with appointing authorities and screening committees, and by
responding to inquiries from such entities concerning the professional
qualifications of a person being considered for judicial office.

    [4]  Special considerations arise when judges write or contribute to
publications of for-profit entities, whether related or unrelated to the
law.  A judge should not permit anyone associated with the publication of
such materials to exploit the judge's office in a manner that violates this
Rule or other applicable law. In contracts for publication of a judge's
writing, the judge should retain sufficient control over the advertising to
avoid such exploitation.


[Adopted September 9, 2010; effective January 1, 2011]