Montana Code of Judicial Conduct – 2026
The 2014 code, organised into four Canons, published here with its Preamble, Terminology and Application sections — the last of which decides how much of the Code binds a part-time or pro tempore judge, and is easy to miss because it is not numbered as a Rule. Complaints go to the Judicial Standards Commission.
Browse all 41 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.
Preamble
Terminology
Application
Rule 1.1
Compliance with the Law
Rule 1.2
Promoting Confidence in the Judiciary
Rule 1.3
Avoiding Abuse of the Prestige of Judicial Office
Rule 2.1
Giving Precedence to the Duties of Judicial Office
Rule 2.2
Impartiality and Fairness
Rule 2.3
Bias, Prejudice, and Harassment
Rule 2.4
External Influences on Judicial Conduct
Rule 2.5
Competence, Diligence, and Cooperation
Rule 2.6
Ensuring the Right to Be Heard
Rule 2.7
Responsibility to Decide
Rule 2.8
Decorum, Demeanor, and Communication with Jurors
Rule 2.9
Ex Parte Communications;* Investigations—Courts of Limited Jurisdiction*
Rule 2.10
Ex Parte Communications*—All Courts Except for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction*
Rule 2.11
Judicial Statements on Pending and Impending Cases
Rule 2.12
Disqualification
Rule 2.13
Supervisory Duties
Rule 2.14
Administrative Appointments
Rule 2.15
Disability and Impairment
Rule 2.16
Responding to Judicial and Lawyer Misconduct
Rule 2.17
Cooperation with Disciplinary Authorities
Rule 3.1
Extrajudicial Activities in General
Rule 3.2
Appearances before Governmental Bodies and Consultation with Government Officials
Rule 3.3
Testifying as a Character Witness
Rule 3.4
Appointments to Governmental Positions
Rule 3.5
Use of Nonpublic Information
Rule 3.6
Affiliation with Discriminatory Organizations
Rule 3.7
Participation in Educational, Religious, Charitable, Fraternal, or Civic Organizations and
Rule 3.8
30
Rule 3.9
Service as Arbitrator or Mediator
Rule 3.10
31
Rule 3.11
Financial, Business, or Remunerative Activities
Rule 3.12
Compensation for Extrajudicial Activities
Rule 3.13
Acceptance and Reporting of Gifts, Loans, Bequests, Benefits, or Other Things of Value
Rule 3.14
Reimbursement of Expenses and Waivers of Fees or Charges
Rule 4.1
Political and Campaign Activities of Judges and Judicial Candidates in General
Rule 4.2
Political and Campaign Activities of Judicial Candidates in Public Elections
Rule 4.3
Activities of Candidates for Appointive Judicial Office
Rule 4.4
Campaign Committees