Rule 3.3 Testifying as a Character Witness

Judges are not allowed to show up to court or other official proceedings to speak up for someone's character. This means a judge cannot voluntarily tell a court or hearing officer that they think highly of someone involved in a case.

The only time a judge can do this is if they are officially summoned, meaning they are formally required by law to appear and testify. If that happens, they must comply, but they cannot volunteer to do it on their own.

This rule exists because a judge's word carries extra weight. If judges could freely vouch for people in legal proceedings, it could give those people an unfair advantage just because of who is speaking for them.