Rule 51:2.14 Disability and Impairment

If a judge notices that a lawyer or another judge seems to be struggling because of drugs, alcohol, or a mental or physical health problem, the judge can't just ignore it. The judge has to do something about it when they reasonably believe there's a real problem affecting that person's work.

The judge has some choices in how to handle this. One option is to quietly connect the person with a lawyer assistance program or a similar support service for judges. The goal is to get the person help while keeping the situation private, rather than immediately punishing them or making it public.

This rule exists because impaired judges or lawyers can hurt the people they're supposed to serve. Someone dealing with addiction or a serious health issue might make mistakes, miss deadlines, or fail to represent their clients properly. By stepping in early and offering help, the legal system tries to protect the public while also giving the struggling professional a chance to get treatment and get back on track.