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Kentucky Court Rules
Kentucky Rules of the Supreme CourtJudicial Conduct CommissionRule SCR 4.300 - Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct
Canon 3 - A Judge Shall Conduct the Judge's Personal and Extrajudicial Activities to Minimize the Risk of Conflict with the Obligations of Judicial Office
Rule 3.3 - Testifying as a Character Witness

Ky. R. Sup. Ct. 3.3

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As amended through March 4, 2024
Rule 3.3 - Testifying 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.

Ky. R. Sup. Ct. 3.3

Amended by Order 2018-17, eff. 11/29/2018; adopted by Order 2018-04, eff. 1/31/2018.

Comment

[1] 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.