Massachusetts Code of Judicial Conduct
The Massachusetts Code of Judicial Conduct is the set of guideline standards for ethical conduct of Massachusetts state court judges, as set forth in Rule 3:09 of the Rules of the Massachusetts Supreme Court.
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Provisions
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The code is broken into separate "canons" setting forth rules and guidelines for, among other things, upholding integrity and independence of the judiciary, avoiding impropriety, performing duties impartially and diligently, and avoiding conflicts with judicial responsibilities.
Applicability
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The provisions of the code do not apply solely to judges' performances of their specific court duties, as some provisions apply to the conduct of judges' personal lives outside the courtroom.
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Compliance
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The code is meant to be "authoritative," whereby failure to adhere to the code may subject a judge to disciplinary action.
Enforcement
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The Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct is the governmental agency responsible for investigating allegations of code violations and recommending disciplinary sanctions thereon, but the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court holds the authority for actually imposing disciplinary sanctions.
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References
- Supreme Court of Massachusetts, Office of Reporter of Decisions: Rules of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Rule 3:09
- Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct: Code of Judicial Conduct
- Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct
- Massachusetts Bar Association: Lawyer and Judicial Discipline
