Canon 3 A Judge Shall Perform the Duties of Office Impartially and Diligently

Steps judges may consider in facilitating the right of self-represented litigants to be heard, and which (they might find) are consistent with these principles include, but are not limited to:

(1) making referrals to any resources available to assist the litigant in preparation of the case;

(2) providing brief information about the proceeding and evidentiary and foundational requirements;

(3) asking neutral questions to elicit or clarify information;

(4) attempting to make legal concepts understandable by minimizing use of legal jargon; and

(5) explaining the basis for a ruling.

[amended effective March 18, 2013]

(5) A judge shall require lawyers in proceedings before the judge to refrain from manifesting, by words or conduct, bias or prejudice against parties, witnesses, counsel or others.

(6) Except as permitted by law, a judge shall not permit private or ex parte interviews, arguments or communications designed to influence his or her judicial action in any case, either civil or criminal. A judge may obtain the advice of a disinterested expert on the law applicable to a proceeding before the judge if the judge gives notice to the parties of the person consulted and the substance of the advice, and affords the parties reasonable opportunity to respond. Where circumstances require, ex parte communications are authorized for scheduling, administrative purposes or emergencies that do not deal with substantive matters or issues on the merits, provided the judge reasonably believes that no party will gain a procedural or tactical advantage as a result of the ex parte communication. A judge shall not knowingly accept in any case briefs, documents or written communications intended or calculated to influence his or her action unless the contents are promptly made known to all parties. Judges of appellate courts shall also avoid all actions or language which might indicate to counsel, litigants or any member of the public, the particular member of the court to whom a case is allotted or assigned for any purpose. Similar circumspection should be exacted on the part of court officers, clerks and secretaries.

(7) A judge shall dispose of all judicial matters promptly, efficiently and fairly.

(8) A judge shall not, while a proceeding is pending in any Louisiana state court, make any public comment that might reasonably be expected to affect its outcome or impair its fairness, and shall require similar abstention on the part of court personnel subject to his or her direction and control. This subsection does not prohibit judges from making public statements in the course of their official duties or from explaining for public information the procedures of the court. [Amended effective February 1, 2005]

(9) Except as herein provided a judge shall prohibit broadcasting, televising, recording, or taking photographs in the courtroom and areas immediately adjacent thereto during sessions of court or recesses between sessions.

A trial judge may authorize:

(a) the use of cameras placed inside the courtroom for security purposes without audio;

(b) the use of electronic or photographic means for the presentation of evidence, for the perpetuation of a record for the court or for counsel, or for other purposes of judicial administration;

(c) the broadcasting, televising, recording or photographing of investitive or ceremonial proceedings;

(d) the photographic or electronic recording and reproduction of appropriate court proceedings under the following conditions:

(i) the means of recording will not distract participants or impair the dignity of the proceedings;

(ii) the parties have consented, and the consent to being depicted or recorded has been obtained from each witness appearing in the recording and reproduction;

(iii) the reproduction will not be exhibited until after the proceeding has been concluded and all direct appeals have been exhausted; and

(iv) the reproduction will be exhibited only for instructional purposes in educational institutions.

An appellate court may permit broadcasting, televising, recording, and taking photographs of public judicial proceedings in the courtrooms of appellate courts in accordance with the guidelines set forth in an appendix to this Canon, subject, however, to the authority of each court and the presiding judge of each court or panel to (a) control the conduct of proceedings before the court, (b) ensure decorum and prevent distractions, and (c) ensure the fair administration of justice in the pending cause.

Nothing in this Canon shall prevent a judge from conducting court proceedings authorized by law or Supreme Court order to be conducted by teleconference, video link, or other visual remote technology; this does not, however, authorize the televising, live-streaming, or broadcasting of court proceedings to the public except as expressly authorized herein or by Supreme Court order. Courts may adopt local rules implementing policies and procedures related to the authorizations granted herein and not in conflict therewith.

[Amended effective June 22, 2026]

(10) A judge shall not, with respect to cases, controversies or issues that are likely to come before the court, make pledges, promises or commitments that are inconsistent with the impartial performance of the adjudicative duties of the office. [Enacted effective February 1, 2005]

B. Administrative Responsibilities.

(1) A judge shall diligently discharge the judge's administrative responsibilities without bias or prejudice and maintain professional competence in judicial administration, and should cooperate with other judges and court officials in the administration of court business.

The following actions are non-exclusive examples of violations of Canon 3B(1) by a judge: (i) willful or repeated failure to comply with administrative reporting requirements imposed by the rules of the Louisiana Supreme Court and/or the judge’s own court; (ii) failure to regularly attend and/or meaningfully participate in en banc meetings; (iii) willful or repeated failure to comply with human resources and/or other administrative policies adopted by the judge’s court en banc; (iv) willful or repeated failure to coordinate with colleagues on scheduling; (v) accruing chronic docket backlogs; and (vi) willful or repeated failure to otherwise execute the administrative duties of their office in accordance with the rules and/or orders duly adopted by the judge’s court en banc and/or the Louisiana Supreme Court. [added effective August 27, 2026]

(2) A judge shall require staff, court officials and others subject to the judge's direction and control to observe the standards of fidelity and diligence that apply to the judge and to refrain from manifesting bias or prejudice in the performance of their official duties.

(3) A judge should take or initiate appropriate disciplinary measures against a judge or lawyer for unprofessional conduct of which the judge may become aware. Acts of a judge in the discharge of disciplinary responsibilities, as set forth above, are part of the judge's judicial duties and shall be absolutely privileged, and no civil action predicated thereon may be instituted against the judge.

(4) A judge shall not make unnecessary appointments. A judge should exercise the power of appointment impartially and on the basis of merit. A judge should avoid appointments which tend to create the appearance of impropriety. A judge shall not approve the compensation of appointees beyond the fair value of services rendered. A judge shall not order, appoint, or recommend a former judge or employee of that court to serve as a special master or mediator for a case in that court for a period of two years from the date of their separation from that court.

A judge shall avoid nepotism. No spouse or member of the immediate family of a judge shall be employed in the court to which that judge was elected. “Immediate family” means a judge’s children, parents, brothers and sisters; the children and parents of a judge’s spouse; the spouses of a judge’s children; and all step relationships to the same degree.

The provisions of this Subsection shall not prohibit the continued employment of any employee of a court employed by such court on or before December 31, 1990; nor shall such provisions be construed to hinder, alter, or in any way affect promotional advancements for any such employee. The provisions of this Subsection pertaining to nepotism shall not apply to mayors or justices of the peace.

[Amended effective February 11, 2026]

(5) Judges, in connection with a disciplinary matter, shall not

(a) Knowingly make a false statement of material fact;

(b) Knowingly fail to disclose a fact necessary to correct a misapprehension known by the judge to have arisen in the matter, or knowingly fail to respond to a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority;

(c) Fail to cooperate with the Judiciary Commission and the Office of Special Counsel in its inquiry or investigation of any matter before it except for an openly expressed claim of a constitutional privilege; or

(d) Intentionally retaliate, directly or indirectly, against a person known or suspected to have filed a complaint or assisted or cooperated with an inquiry or investigation concerning a judge. “Retaliation” does not include an adverse ruling against a complainant litigant, absent evidence of demonstrable bias or bad faith.

[Added effective June 22, 2026]

C. Recusation. A judge shall disqualify himself or herself in a proceeding in which disqualification is required by law or applicable Supreme Court rule. In all other instances, a judge should not recuse himself or herself. [Amended effective June 22, 2026]

APPENDIX TO CANON 3

Guidelines for Extended Media Coverage of Proceedings in Appellate Courtrooms

I. As used in these guidelines,

A. 'Extended coverage' means any recording or broadcasting by the news media of court proceedings using television, radio, photographic or recording equipment.

B. 'Presiding Judge' means the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Louisiana, the Chief Judge of a Court of Appeal, or the senior judge of a panel of which the Chief Justice or Chief Judge is not a member.

C. 'Proceeding' means any hearing, motion, argument on appeal or other matter held in open court which the public is entitled to attend.

D. 'Party' means a named litigant of record who has appeared in the case, and includes a party's counsel of record.

E. 'Media' means legitimate news gathering and reporting agencies and their representatives.

F. 'Court' means an appellate court and includes the Supreme Court of Louisiana and the Courts of Appeal of the several circuits.

II. All extended media coverage of court proceedings shall be governed by the principle that the decorum and dignity of the court, the courtroom and the judicial process will be maintained at all times. Resolution of any question of coverage or procedure not specifically addressed in this section will be guided by this overriding principle.

III. A. The consent or approval of parties to extended coverage is not required. Parties may object to extended coverage by filing a written objection stating the reasons therefor with the clerk of court at least 10 days prior to the date of the proceedings. Upon objection by a party, or on the court's own motion, the presiding judge may prohibit or limit extended coverage of a proceeding.

B. Extended coverage shall not be permitted in any proceeding which by law must or may be held in private.

C. The decision of the presiding judge on any question of coverage shall be final and shall not be subject to review by any other court.

IV. Extended coverage of a proceeding shall not be permitted unless notice of intention to provide extended coverage of a proceeding is given by the media to the clerk of court at least 20 days in advance of the proceeding, provided that only reasonable notice shall be required for coverage of expedited proceedings not regularly calendared.

V. Extended coverage of court proceedings may be provided by news media agencies and their representatives. Film, videotape, photographs, and audio reproduction shall not be used for commercial or political advertising purposes. Such use of these materials will be regarded as an unlawful interference with the judicial process.

VI. Extended coverage of investitive or ceremonial proceedings at variance with these guidelines may be authorized by the court.

VII. When extended coverage is permitted, all media representatives shall have equally the right to provide coverage. When extended coverage is to be provided by more than one media representative, the media collectively should designate one representative to coordinate with the court all matters dealing with extended coverage. Any pooling arrangements among the media required by the limitations and restrictions on equipment and personnel contained in these guidelines shall be the sole responsibility of the media and must be made in advance of the court proceedings to be covered. Judges and court personnel will not mediate any dispute as to the appropriate media representative or equipment authorized to cover a particular proceeding. If pooling arrangements cannot be made or if there are unresolved media disputes, the presiding judge may deny extended coverage of proceedings.

VIII. A. No more than two portable television cameras, each operated by no more than one camera person and positioned as unobtrusively as possible at locations approved by the court, shall be permitted to be physically in the courtroom. Only television equipment which does not produce light or distracting sound will be permitted. Videotape recording equipment which is not a component part of a television camera shall, whenever possible, be located in an area outside the courtroom.

B. No artificial lighting device of any kind shall be employed in connection with the television camera. With the approval of the court, modifications and additions to existing courtroom lighting may be made provided such modifications or additions are installed and maintained without public expense. Multiple video/audio feeds may be permitted but must be provided by a video/audio distribution system, furnished by the media, located outside the courtroom.

IX. A. No more than one still photographer, using not more than two still cameras with not more than two lenses for each camera without flash or other artificial light, shall be permitted to be physically in the courtroom. Still cameras must not produce distracting sound and should produce no greater sound than the Leica M Series Rangefinder camera. Motorized film advance systems will not be permitted.

B. The photographer shall be positioned in a place designated by the presiding judge and remain in that area except when the proceeding is in recess. Changing of lenses or film will only be done during a recess.

X. Only one audio system for radio broadcast purposes will be permitted in the courtroom. Audio pickup should be made from existing audio systems in the courtroom whenever possible. If no technically suitable audio system exists in the courtroom, microphones and related wiring shall be permitted but must be unobtrusive and located in places designated in advance by the presiding judge. Multiple radio feeds rather than a pooling system may be permitted but must be provided by an audio distribution system, provided by the media, located outside the courtroom.

XI. When extended media coverage is authorized, individual journalists may bring tape recorders into the courtroom and use them to record proceedings so long as they do not cause any distraction. Journalists using tape recorders may sit at any place in the audience portion of the courtroom, but must keep their tape recorder on their person at all times. Changing of tape cassettes during proceedings is not permitted and should only be done during a recess.

XII. All camera and audio equipment must be in position at least 15 minutes before the start of the proceedings and can only be moved or removed after the proceedings are over or during a recess. Television camera persons and still photographers must remain in their designated area and are not permitted to move about the courtroom. Television cameras and radio broadcast equipment, once in position, may not be moved during the proceedings. Movement by television and still photographers should be held to a minimum and in no way should be distracting or call undue attention to the operators.

XIII. Camera and audio equipment authorized by these guidelines shall not be operated during a recess in a court proceeding. Extended coverage in the judicial area of a courthouse or other court facility is limited to proceedings in the courtroom in the presence of the presiding judge.

XIV. The dignity and decorum of the court must be maintained at all times during extended media coverage activities. Court customs, including appropriate dress, must be followed.

XV. The confidentiality of the attorney/client relationship must be protected. Therefore, there will be no audio recording, radio, television, or tape-recording, made or broadcast of any conference between attorneys and their clients, between co-counsel of a client, between counsel and the presiding judge when held at the bench, or of proceedings held in chambers. No parabolic microphones shall be used.

[Added April 23, 1985. Amended and effective June 3, 1993.]