Ariz. Co. Jud. Cond. 1.3

As amended through August 22, 2024
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.

Ariz. Co. Jud. Cond. 1.3

Adopted effective 9/1/2009.

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 judicial letterhead 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, by recommending qualified candidates for judicial office, and by responding to inquiries from and volunteering information to such entities concerning the professional qualifications of a person being considered for judicial office.

4. A judge who writes or contributes to publications of for-profit entities 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.

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