Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct – 2026
The Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct governs the conduct of judges and judicial candidates, organised in four Canons covering the independence, integrity and impartiality of the judiciary, the impartial and diligent performance of judicial duties, the conduct of a judge's personal and extrajudicial activities, and political and campaign activity.
Browse all 45 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.
Canon 1: A Judge Shall Uphold and Promote the Independence, Integrity, and Impartiality of the Judiciary, and Shall Avoid Impropriety and the Appearance of Impropriety.
Canon 2: A Judge Shall Perform the Duties of Judicial Office Impartially, Competently, and Diligently
Rule 2.1
1: Giving Precedence to the Duties of Judicial Office
Rule 2.2
2: Impartiality and Fairness
Rule 2.3
3: Bias, Prejudice, and Harassment
Rule 2.4
4: External Influences on Judicial Conduct
Rule 2.5
5: Competence, Diligence, and Cooperation
Rule 2.6
6: Ensuring the Right to Be Heard
Rule 2.7
7: Responsibility to Decide
Rule 2.8
8: Decorum, Demeanor, and Communication with Jurors
Rule 2.9
9: Ex Parte Communications
Rule 2.10
10: Judicial Statements on Pending and Impending Cases
Rule 2.11
11: Disqualification
Rule 2.12
12: Supervisory Duties
Rule 2.13
13: Hiring and Administrative Appointments
Rule 2.14
14: Disability and Impairment
Rule 2.15
15: Responding to Judicial and Lawyer Misconduct
Rule 2.16
16: Cooperation with Disciplinary Authorities
Rule 2.17
17: Prohibiting Broadcasting of Proceedings
Canon 3: A Judge Shall Conduct the Judge’s Personal and Extrajudicial Activities to Minimize the Risk of Conflict with the Obligations of Judicial Office
Rule 3.1
1: Extrajudicial Activities in General
Rule 3.2
2: Appearances before Governmental Bodies and Consultation with Government Officials
Rule 3.3
3: Testifying as a Character Witness
Rule 3.4
4: Appointments to Governmental Positions
Rule 3.5
5: Use of Nonpublic Information
Rule 3.6
6: Affiliation with Discriminatory Organizations
Rule 3.7
7: Participation in Educational, Religious, Charitable, Fraternal, or Civic Organizations and Activities
Rule 3.8
8: Appointments to Fiduciary Positions
Rule 3.9
9: Service as Arbitrator or Mediator
Rule 3.10
10: Practice of Law
Rule 3.11
11: Financial, Business, or Remunerative Activities
Rule 3.12
12: Compensation for Extrajudicial Activities
Rule 3.13
13: Acceptance and Reporting of Gifts, Loans, Bequests, Benefits, or Other Things of Value
Rule 3.14
14: Reimbursement of Expenses and Waivers of Fees or Charges
Rule 3.15
15: Financial Reporting Requirements
Canon 4: A Judge or Candidate for Judicial Office Shall Not Engage in Political or Campaign Activity That is Inconsistent with the Independence, Integrity, or Impartiality of the Judiciary
Rule 4.1
1: Political and Campaign Activities of Judges and Judicial Candidates in General
Rule 4.2
2: Political and Campaign Activities of Judicial Candidates in Public Elections
Rule 4.3
3: Activities of Candidates for Appointive Judicial Office
Rule 4.4
4: Campaign Committees
Rule 4.5
5: Activities of Judges Who Become Candidates for Nonjudicial Office
Rule 4.6
6: Political Activities of Nonjudicial Court Employees