e. Propriety (Canon IV)

PROPRIETY

Propriety and the appearance of propriety are essential to the performance of all the activities of a judge.

NOTE: The conduct and behavior of everyone connected with an office charged with the dispensation of justice is circumscribed with the heavy burden of responsibility. His conduct at all times must be characterized with propriety and must be above suspicion. He must be free of even a whiff of impropriety, not only with respect to the performance of his judicial duties, but also his behavior outside the courtroom and as individual. A Justice of the Court of Appeals did not live up to these expectations when, through indiscretions, he had been mentioned in the newspapers of having lawyered for a suspected drug queen and interfered with her prosecution. (In Re: Derogatory News Items Charging Court of Appeals Justice Demetria with Interference on Behalf of Suspected Drug Queen, A.C. No. 00-09-CA, 27 Mar. 2001)

Actions subject to the proper performance of judicial duties that Judges may take:

• Write, lecture, teach and participate in activities concerning the law, the legal system, the administration of justice or related matters;
• Appear at a public hearing before an official body concerned with matters relating to the law, the legal system, the administration of justice or related matters;
• Engage in other activities if such activities do not detract from the dignity of the judicial office or otherwise interfere with the performance of judicial duties. (Sec. 10, Canon 4, A.M. No. 03-05-01-SC)