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Okla. Code Jud. Conduct 1.2

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Rule 1.2 Promoting Confidence in the Judiciary

← Previous Rule 1.1: Compliance with the Law Next → Rule 1.3: Avoiding Abuse of the Prestige of Judicial Office

Rule Text

A judge shall act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, and avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.

Amendment history: Approved by order of the Supreme Court, 2010 OK 90 , effective April 15, 2011.

Plain-English Summary (for reference only — not a substitute for the rule text above)

This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.

Judges must act in ways that make people trust the court system. This means a judge's behavior, both on and off the bench, should show that courts are fair, honest, and free from outside influence.

Judges need to avoid doing anything wrong, but they also need to avoid situations that might just look wrong to other people. Even if a judge hasn't actually done anything improper, acting in a way that raises doubts or looks suspicious can still damage public trust. Judges are held to this standard at all times, not just when they are working on a case in the courtroom.

The goal is to protect the public's faith in the legal system. People need to believe that judges are independent, meaning they aren't controlled by outside pressures. They need to believe judges are honest and follow ethical standards. And they need to believe judges treat everyone fairly and don't take sides. When a judge's conduct threatens any of these beliefs, it violates this rule, even if no specific law was broken.

Committee Notes

[1] Public confidence in the judiciary is eroded by improper conduct and conduct that creates the appearance of impropriety. This principle applies to both the professional and personal conduct of a judge.

[2] A judge should expect to be the subject of public scrutiny that might be viewed as burdensome if applied to other citizens, and must accept the restrictions imposed by the Code.

[3] Conduct that compromises or appears to compromise the independence, integrity, and impartiality of a judge undermines public confidence in the judiciary. Because it is not practicable to list all such conduct, the Rule is necessarily cast in general terms.

[4] Judges should participate in activities that promote ethical conduct among judges and lawyers, support professionalism within the judiciary and the legal profession, and promote access to justice for all.

[5] Actual improprieties include violations of law, court rules or other specific provisions of this Code. The test for appearance of impropriety is whether the conduct would create in reasonable minds a perception that

the judge violated this Code or engaged in other conduct that reflects adversely on the judge's honesty, impartiality, temperament, or fitness to serve as a judge.

[6] A judge is permitted and encouraged to initiate and participate in community outreach activities for the purpose of promoting public understanding of and confidence in the administration of justice. In conducting such activities, the judge must act in a manner consistent with this Code.

← Previous Rule 1.1: Compliance with the Law Next → Rule 1.3: Avoiding Abuse of the Prestige of Judicial Office

Cross-References

Referenced By (1)

Code Jud. Conduct Terminology

Bluebook Citation

Okla. Code Jud. Conduct 1.2

This Rule Set

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Last updated: August 2026

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