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Rule 3.4 4: Appointments to Governmental Positions

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

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Rule Text

A judge shall not accept appointment to a governmental committee, board, commission, or other governmental position except with prior approval of the Indiana Supreme Court, unless it is one that concerns the law,* the legal system, or the administration of justice.

Amendment history: Effective January 1, 2009

Plain-English Summary (for reference only — not a substitute for the rule text above)

This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.

Judges are not allowed to take on extra government jobs, like serving on a committee, board, or commission, unless the Indiana Supreme Court says it's okay first. The only exception is if the position deals with the law, the court system, or how justice is carried out. In those cases, a judge can accept the role without asking the Supreme Court for permission first.

This rule exists to keep judges focused on their judicial duties and to prevent conflicts of interest. If a judge took on unrelated government roles, it could raise questions about whether they can stay neutral and independent. By requiring approval for outside appointments, the rule helps make sure judges aren't stretched too thin or influenced by other government interests.

Committee Notes

Comment

[1] Rule 3.4 implicitly acknowledges the value of judges accepting appointments to entities that concern the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice. Even in such instances, however, a judge should assess the appropriateness of accepting an appointment, paying particular attention to the subject matter of the appointment and the availability and allocation of judicial resources, including the judge's time commitments, and giving due regard to the requirements of the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.

[2] A judge may represent his or her country, state, or locality on ceremonial occasions or in connection with historical, educational, or cultural activities. Such representation does not constitute acceptance of a government position.

← Previous Rule 3.3: 3: Testifying as a Character Witness Next → Rule 3.5: 5: Use of Nonpublic Information

Cross-References

Referenced By (1)

Ind. Code Jud. Cond. Terminology

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Last updated: August 2026

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