Offering common sense solutions for judicial discipline
How to file a complaint of judicial misconduct
Step 3: Break the Code
(This text from Step 3 of "You be the Judge!")
There's a really high standard for Federal judges, which you'd want and expect. It's the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, located at
http://www.uscourts.gov/booklet/vol2/ch1.html
This link includes Commentary explaining the mindset behind the Code of Conduct. Judges are honor bound to obey the Code. I don't mean to sound blasphemous, but these words could've come down from Mt. Sinai. They echo the ethics God gave Moses regarding judges. For those of us who love Justice, these are beautiful words. (Surprisingly, they were recommended by the American Bar Association. They are undergoing review in 2005 and may be soon be modified from what you read here.)
Instead of Ten Commandments, there are Seven Canons in the Code. Canon 1 gives the reason behind the Code. "An independent and honorable judiciary is indispensable to justice in our society." Amen to that!
And how do we foster an honorable judiciary? Canon 2: "A judge should avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all activities." The definition of impropriety is in Canon 3, but I want you to notice the very high standard here. You do not have to prove impropriety in your complaint - the mere appearance of impropriety is enough to tarnish the integrity of the judiciary. (And, therefore, as we'll see later, enough to disqualify a judge from sitting on a case.)
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