Canon 1 Canon 1

Judges are held to a high standard both on and off the bench. They need to act in ways that show the court system is fair, honest, and free from outside influence. This means a judge's behavior should build public trust in the courts, not damage it.

It's not enough for a judge to actually be fair and honest. They also have to avoid situations that might look bad or create doubt about their fairness, even if nothing wrong actually happened. If a judge's actions could make someone reasonably question their honesty or independence, that's a problem, whether or not the judge meant any harm.

For people involved in a court case, this rule matters because it protects your right to a fair hearing. It means judges are expected to steer clear of relationships, activities, or conduct that could suggest they favor one side, owe favors to someone, or aren't acting purely based on the law and facts of your case.