1990 Code of Judicial Conduct: An Overview

• NCJ Number: 128934
• Journal: Judicature Volume: 74 Issue: 1 Dated: (June-July 1990) Pages: 21-27
• Author(s): J M Shaman; S Lubet; J J Alfini
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Guideline
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Adapted from Chapter 16 of Judicial Conduct and Ethics by J. M. Shaman, S. Lubet, and J. J. Alfini, 1990, Michie Co.

Annotation

The article presents the changes in the revised Model Code of Judicial Conduct to be considered by the ABA House of Delegates in August 1991.

Abstract

The revised Code retains the same basic general standards of the 1972 version of the Code of Judicial Conduct while containing a number of substantive changes. Terminology throughout is in gender neutral and is designed to make the mandatory nature of the Code clear. The changes in each Canon are discussed such as the revised Canon 3 that requires judges to report serious misconduct of other judges or lawyers and the revised Canon 4 which modifies the "no business" rule by allowing a judge to participate in a "family business." Canon 5 involves political activity and replaces Canon 7 of the 1972 Code which has been restructured to reflect widespread changes in judicial selection methods across the United States and increasing emphasis on a trend towards adoption of judicial merit selection plans. 89 notes