Statutes, codes, and regulations
Ohio Court Rules
Ohio Code of Judicial Conduct
Canon 3 - A judge shall conduct the judge's personal and extrajudicial activities so as to minimize the risk of conflict with the obligations of judicial office
Rule 3.3 - Testifying as a Character Witness

Ohio Jud. Cond. R. 3.3

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As amended through October 29, 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.

Ohio. Jud. Cond. R. 3.3

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.

Comparison to Ohio Code of Judicial Conduct

Rule 3.3 is comparable to the last sentence in Ohio Canon 4(A).

Comparison to ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct

Rule 3.3 is identical to Model Rule 3.3.