Judicial Conduct
This chapter covers the ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct: a judge's duties of impartiality and integrity, disqualification, and permitted and prohibited extrajudicial activities.
Impartiality and Disqualification
Under the Model Code of Judicial Conduct, a judge must uphold the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary and avoid impropriety and its appearance. A judge must disqualify in any proceeding where the judge's impartiality might reasonably be questioned, including personal bias, personal knowledge of disputed facts, a financial interest in the matter, or a close family relationship to a party or lawyer. A judge generally must not engage in improper ex parte communications about a pending matter.
Extrajudicial Activities
A judge may engage in some extrajudicial activities but must avoid those that interfere with judicial duties, cast reasonable doubt on impartiality, or exploit the judicial office. Judges face restrictions on political activity, on practicing law, and on accepting gifts, and must conduct personal and fiduciary financial dealings to minimize conflicts and disqualification.