Terminology
Aggregate-In relation to contributions for a candidate, includes contributions in cash or kind made directly to a candidate's campaign committee or indirectly with the understanding that they will be used to support the election of a candidate or to oppose the election of the candidate's opponent.
Appropriate authority-The authority having responsibility for initiation of disciplinary process in connection with the violation to be reported.
Contribution-Both financial and in-kind contributions, such as professional or volunteer services, advertising, and other assistance, which if otherwise obtained, would require a financial expenditure.
Domestic partner-A person with whom another person maintains a household and an intimate relationship, other than a person to whom he or she is legally married.
Economic interest-More than a de minimis legal or equitable ownership interest. Except for situations in which the judge participates in the management of such a legal or equitable interest, or the interest could be substantially affected by the outcome of a proceeding before a judge, it does not include:
Fiduciary-Includes relationships such as executor, administrator, trustee, or guardian.
Impartial, impartiality, impartially-Absence of bias or prejudice in favor of, or against, particular parties or classes of parties, as well as maintenance of an open mind in considering issues that may come before a judge.
Impending matter-A matter that is imminent or expected to occur in the near future.
Impropriety-Includes conduct that violates the law, court rules, or provisions of this Code, and conduct that undermines a judge's independence, integrity, or impartiality.
Independence-A judge's freedom from influence or controls other than those established by law or Rule.
Integrity-Probity, fairness, honesty, uprightness, and soundness of character.
Judicial candidate-Any person, including a sitting judge, who is seeking appointment, election or retention to judicial office. A person becomes a candidate for judicial office as soon as he or she makes a public announcement of candidacy, declares or files as a candidate with the appointment or election authority, or where permitted, engages in solicitation or acceptance of contributions or support, or is nominated for appointment or election to office.
Knowingly, knowledge, known, and knows-Actual knowledge of the fact in question. A person's knowledge may be inferred from the circumstances.
Law-Refers to constitutional provisions, statutes, decisional law, Supreme Court Rules and directives, including this Code of Judicial Conduct and the Unified Judicial System Policy of Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity, and the like which may have an effect upon judicial conduct.
Member of the candidate's family-The spouse, domestic partner, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or other relative or person with whom the candidate maintains a close familial relationship.
Member of the judge's family-The spouse, domestic partner, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or other relative or person with whom the judge maintains a close familial relationship.
Member of the judge's family residing in the judge's household-Any relative of a judge by blood or marriage, or a person treated by a judge as a member of the judge's family, who resides in the judge's household.
Nonpublic information-Information that is not available to the public. Nonpublic information may include, but is not limited to, information that is sealed by statute or court order or impounded or communicated in camera, and information offered in grand jury proceedings, presentence reports, dependency cases, or psychiatric reports.
Party-A person or entity who has a legal interest in a court proceeding.
Pending matter-A matter that has commenced and continuing on until final disposition.
Personally solicit-A direct request made by a judge or a judicial candidate for financial support or in-kind services, whether made by letter, telephone, or any other means of communication.
Political organization-A political party or group sponsored by or affiliated with a political party or candidate, the principal purpose of which is to further the election or appointment of candidates for political office, excluding a judicial candidate's campaign committee created as authorized by this Code.
Public election-Includes primary, municipal, and general elections, partisan elections, nonpartisan elections, and retention elections.
Third degree of relationship-Includes the following persons: great-grandparent, grandparent, parent, uncle, aunt, brother, sister, child, grandchild, great-grandchild, nephew, and niece.