Rule 21-304 Appointments to governmental positions.

This rule limits the kinds of extra jobs a judge can take on outside of being a judge. A judge is not allowed to accept a spot on a government committee, board, or commission unless one of two things is true: either the law requires it, or the position deals with legal matters, the court system, or how justice is carried out. This keeps judges focused on their judicial work and prevents them from taking on unrelated government roles that could create conflicts of interest or distract from their duties on the bench.

There is an exception for ceremonial or cultural activities. A judge can represent their country, state, or community at events tied to history, education, or culture, like giving a speech at a historical celebration or taking part in an educational program. Doing this does not count as accepting a government position, so it does not break the rule. This allows judges to still participate in public life and community events without violating the limits on outside appointments.