Code of Judicial Conduct – 2026

The Code of Judicial Conduct, Set 21, governing the conduct of New Mexico judges and judicial candidates.

Last updated September 05, 2026

Browse all 48 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.

Rule 21-001 Preamble. Rule 21-002 Scope. Rule 21-003 Terminology. Rule 21-004 Application. Rule 21-100 Canon 1. Rule 21-101 Compliance with the law. Rule 21-102 Promoting confidence in the judiciary. Rule 21-103 Avoiding abuse of the prestige of judicial office. Rule 21-200 Canon 2. Rule 21-201 Giving precedence to the duties of judicial office. Rule 21-202 Impartiality and fairness. Rule 21-203 Bias, prejudice, and harassment. Rule 21-204 External influences on judicial conduct. Rule 21-205 Competence, diligence, and cooperation. Rule 21-206 Ensuring the right to be heard. Rule 21-207 Responsibility to hear and decide. Rule 21-208 Decorum, demeanor, and communication with jurors. Rule 21-209 Ex parte communications. Rule 21-210 Judicial statements on pending and impending cases. Rule 21-211 Disqualification. Rule 21-212 Supervisory duties. Rule 21-213 Administrative appointments. Rule 21-214 Disability and impairment. Rule 21-215 Responding to judicial and lawyer misconduct. Rule 21-216 Cooperation with disciplinary authorities. Rule 21-300 Canon 3. Rule 21-301 Extrajudicial activities in general. Rule 21-302 Appearance before governmental bodies and consultation with government officials. Rule 21-303 Testifying as a character witness. Rule 21-304 Appointments to governmental positions. Rule 21-305 Use of nonpublic information. Rule 21-306 Affiliation with discriminatory organizations. Rule 21-307 Participation in educational, religious, charitable, fraternal, or civic organizations and activities. Rule 21-308 Appointments to fiduciary positions. Rule 21-309 Service as arbitrator or mediator. Rule 21-310 Practice of law. Rule 21-311 Financial or business activities. Rule 21-312 Compensation for extrajudicial activities. Rule 21-313 Acceptance of gifts, loans, bequests, benefits, or other things of value. Rule 21-314 Reimbursement of expenses and waivers of fees and charges. Rule 21-315 Extrajudicial compensation, expense reimbursement, and reporting. Rule 21-400 Canon 4. Rule 21-401 Political activity and elections for judges generally, and who are not currently running in either a partisan, non-partisan, or retention election. Rule 21-402 Political and campaign activities of judicial candidates in public elections. Rule 21-403 Activities of candidates for appointive judicial office. Rule 21-404 Campaign committees. Rule 21-405 Activities of judges who become candidates for nonjudicial office. Rule 21-406 Violations.