Statutes, codes, and regulations
Arizona Court Rules
Arizona Code of Judicial Conduct
Canon 3 - A Judge Shall Conduct the Judge's Extrajudicial Activities to Minimize the Risk of Conflict with the Obligations of Judicial Office
Rule 3.3 - Acting as a Character Witness

Ariz. Co. Jud. Cond. 3.3

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As amended through August 22, 2024
Rule 3.3 - Acting as a Character Witness

A judge shall not testify as a character witness in a judicial, administrative, or other adjudicatory proceeding or otherwise vouch for the character of a person in a legal proceeding, except when duly summoned.

Ariz. Co. Jud. Cond. 3.3

Adopted effective 9/1/2009.

COMMENT

A judge who, without being subpoenaed, testifies as a character witness abuses the prestige of judicial office to advance the interests of another. See Rule 1.3. Except in unusual circumstances where the demands of justice require, a judge should discourage a party from requiring the judge to testify as a character witness.

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