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 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

R.i. Sup. Ct. R. 3.3

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As amended through June 7, 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. However, a judge may appear voluntarily at a public hearing of the Judicial Nominating Commission and at judicial selection or confirmation proceedings and may testify concerning a judicial candidate.*

R.i. Sup. Ct. R. 3.3

Revised 9/1/2023.

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.