Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct

Question 1

Preamble of the Judicial Code of Conduct

Answer 1

1) An independent, fair, and impartial judiciary is indispensable to our system of justice…inherent in all the Rules contained in this Code are the precepts that judges, individually and collectively, must respect and honor the judicial office as a public trust and strive to maintain and enhance confidence in the legal system.
2) Judges should maintain the dignity of the judicial office at all times, and avoid both impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in the professional and personal lives.
3) The Code of Judicial Conduct established standards for the ethical conduct of judges and judiciary candidates. The Code provides guidance and assists judges in maintaining the highest standards of judicial and personal conduct, and to provide a basis for regulating their conduct through disciplinary agencies.

Question 2

How many canons are in the Indiana Judicial Code of Conduct??

Answer 2

4

Question 3

Canon 1

Answer 3

“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
Rule 1.2 - Promoting Confidence in the Judiciary
Rule 1.3 - Avoiding Abuse of the Prestige of Judicial Office

Question 4

Canon 2

Answer 4

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

Rule 2.1 - Giving Precedence of the Duties of Judicial Office
Rule 2.2 - Impartiality and Fairness
Rule 2.3 - Bias, Prejudice, and Harassment
Rule 2.4 - External Influences on Judicial Conduct
Rule 2.5 - Competence, Diligence, and Cooperation
Rule 2.6 - Ensuring the Right to be Heard
Rule 2.7 - Responsibility to Decide
Rule 2.8 - Decorum, Demeanor, and Communication with Jurors
Rule 2.9 - Ex Parte Communications
Rule 2.10 - Judicial Statements on Pending and Impending Cases
Rule 2.11 - Disqualification
Rule 2.12 - Supervisory Duties
Rule 2.13 - Hiring and Administrative Appointments
Rule 2.14 - Disability and Impairment
Rule 2.15 - Responding to Judicial and Lawyer Misconduct
Rule 2.16 - Cooperation with Disciplinary Authorities
Rule 2.17 - Prohibiting Broadcasting of Proceedings

Question 5

Canon 3

Answer 5

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

Rule 3.1 - Extrajudicial Activities in General
Rule 3.2 - Appearances before Governmental Bodies and Consultation with Government Officials
Rule 3.3 - Testifying as a Character Witness
Rule 3.4 - Appointments to Governmental Positions
Rule 3.5 - Use of Nonpublic Information
Rule 3.6 - Affiliation with Discriminatory Organizations
Rule 3.7 - Participation in Educational, Religious, Charitable, Fraternal, and Civic Organizations and Activities
Rule 3.8 - Appointments to Fiduciary Positions
Rule 3.9 - Service as Arbitrator or Mediator
Rule 3.10 - Practice of Law
Rule 3.11 - Financial, Business, or Remunerative Activities
Rule 3.12 - Compensation of Extrajudicial Activities
Rule 3.13 - Acceptance and Reporting of Gifts, Loans, Bequests, Benefits, or Other Things of Value
Rule 3.14 - Reimbursement of Expenses and Waivers of Fees or Charges
Rule 3.15 - Financial Reporting Requirements

Question 6

Canon 4

Answer 6

“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.”

Rule 4.1 - Political and Campaign Activities of Judges and Judicial Candidates in General
Rule 4.2 - Political and Campaign Activities of Judicial Candidates in Public Elections
Rule 4.3 - Activities of Candidates for Appointive Judicial Office
Rule 4.4 - Campaign Committees
Rule 4.5 - Activities of Judges Who Become Candidates for Nonjudicial Office
Rule 4.6 - Political Activities of Nonjudicial Court Employees