Membership in any civic organization that excludes some members, acceptance of any compensation or gift regardless of appearance, and practicing law only in nonjudicial forums.
Acceptance of compensation, gifts, or loans only when they actually undermine independence or integrity, with no restriction on association with discriminatory organizations or the practice of law.
Active association with organizations that practice invidious discrimination; acceptance of compensation, gifts, loans, or other things of value that would appear to a reasonable person to undermine the judge’s independence, integrity, or impartiality; and the practice of law.
Active association with any political organization, acceptance of gifts only from lawyers, and the practice of law only if unrelated to matters before the judge’s court.
Specific prohibitions: (1) active association with organizations that practice invidious discrimination; (2) acceptance of compensation, gifts, loans, or other things of value that would appear to a reasonable person to undermine the judge’s independence, integrity, or impartiality; or (3) the practice of law.
Awards: A judge is permitted to receive an award or other recognition at an event sponsored by a government entity; an organization concerned with the law, legal system, and administration of justice; and certain nonprofit organizations.
Reimbursement : A judge may accept reimbursement of necessary and reasonable expenses for travel, food, lodging, or other incidental expenses, or a waiver or partial waiver of fees or charges for registration, tuition, and similar items, from sources other than the judge’s employing entity, if the expenses or charges are associated with the judge’s participation in extrajudicial activities permitted by this Code.
Extrajudicial activities: A judge may receive reasonable compensation for extrajudicial activities permitted by law unless such acceptance would appear to a reasonable person to undermine the judge’s independence, integrity, or impartiality. A judge is permitted to accept honoraria, stipends, fees, wages, salaries, royalties, or other compensation for speaking, teaching, writing, and other extrajudicial activities, provided that the compensation is reasonable and commensurate with the task performed.
Compensation derived from extrajudicial activities is subject to public reporting. A judge must publicly report the amount or value of: compensation received for extrajudicial activities; gifts and other things of value; and reimbursement of expenses and waiver of fees. A judge should not act as an arbitrator or mediator or perform other judicial functions apart from the judge’s official duties unless expressly authorized by law. A judge should not practice Notwithstanding this prohibition, a judge may act pro se.
A judge or candidate for judicial office may not engage in political or campaign activity that is inconsistent with the independence, integrity, or impartiality of the judiciary. In general, judges and judicial candidates must not: act as leaders in or officers of a political organization; make speeches on behalf of a political organization; personally solicit funds for a political organization; personally solicit contributions from a political organization; publicly endorse or oppose candidates for office; make false statements knowingly or with reckless disregard for the truth; and make statements, pledges, or commitments that are inconsistent with the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary.
A candidate for an elective judicial office may engage in any of the following campaign-related activities: establish a campaign committee pursuant to the provisions of Rule 4; speak on behalf of his candidacy through advertisements, websites, or other literature; publicly endorse or oppose candidates for the same judicial office for which he is running; attend or purchase tickets for dinners or other events sponsored by a political organization or a candidate for public office; seek, accept, or use endorsements from any person or organization other than a partisan political organization; and contribute a limited amount of financial support to a political organization or candidate for public
A judicial candidate in a partisan public election may identify himself as a candidate of a political organization and seek, accept, and use endorsements of a political organization.
A candidate for appointment to a judicial office may: communicate with the appointing or confirming authority, including any selection, screening, or nominating commission or similar agency; and seek endorsements for the appointment from any person or organization other than a partisan political organization.
A judicial candidate may not personally solicit campaign contributions, except as expressly authorized, and may not personally accept campaign contributions.
A judicial candidate may establish a campaign committee to manage and conduct a campaign for the candidate, subject to the provisions of this Code. The judicial candidate is responsible for ensuring that his campaign committee complies with applicable provisions of this Code and other applicable law.
A judge must resign from the judicial position held when he becomes a candidate either in a primary or general election for a nonjudicial elective office. A judge is not required to resign from a judicial position upon becoming a candidate for a nonjudicial appointive office.
