Statutes, codes, and regulations
Rhode Island Court Rules
Rhode Island Supreme Court RulesJudges, Magistrates, and Judicial ProceedingsArticle VI - Rhode Island Code of Judicial Conduct
Canon 2 - A Judge Shall Perform the Duties of Judicial Office Impartially, Competently, and Diligently
Rule 2.4 - External Influences on Judicial Conduct

R.i. Sup. Ct. R. 2.4

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As amended through June 7, 2024
Rule 2.4 - External Influences on Judicial Conduct
(A) A judge* shall not be influenced by public clamor or fear of criticism.
(B) A judge shall not permit family,* social, political, financial, or other interests or relationships to influence the judge's judicial conduct or judgment.
(C) A judge shall not convey or permit others to convey the impression that any person or organization is in a position to influence the judge.

R.i. Sup. Ct. R. 2.4

Revised 9/1/2023.

COMMENT

[1] An independent judiciary requires that judges decide cases according to the law* and facts, without regard to whether particular laws or litigants are popular or unpopular with the public, the media, government officials, or the judge's friends or family. Confidence in the judiciary is eroded if judicial decision making is perceived to be subject to inappropriate outside influences.