Rule 21-216 Cooperation with disciplinary authorities.

Judges have to work honestly and openly with the groups that oversee judicial conduct in New Mexico. This includes the Judicial Standards Commission, the Disciplinary Board, and the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission. If one of these groups asks a judge questions, requests information, or has rules for how an investigation works, the judge must follow those rules and tell the truth.

Judges also cannot punish or get back at anyone who files a complaint against them or another judge or lawyer. This protection covers people who help with or cooperate in an investigation too. A judge cannot take revenge directly or through other people, like asking someone else to cause problems for the person who complained.

This rule exists to make sure the system for reviewing judges and lawyers actually works. People need to feel safe coming forward with concerns about a judge's behavior without fear of payback. It also makes sure judges cannot dodge accountability by refusing to cooperate with investigators.