Canon 3 Canon 3

Judges are allowed to have a life outside the courtroom, but they need to be careful about it. This rule says judges must handle their personal activities and outside interests in a way that does not create conflicts with their job on the bench.

This means a judge should think twice before joining certain groups, taking on side jobs, or getting involved in activities that could make people question their fairness. For example, a judge who serves on a nonprofit board or gives speeches needs to make sure these activities don't interfere with their court duties or make it look like they favor one side over another.

The goal is to protect the public's trust in the courts. If a judge's outside activities create doubt about whether they can be fair and impartial, that hurts the whole justice system. So judges are expected to keep their personal lives separate enough from their judicial role that no one has reason to question their integrity or independence when they are deciding cases.