Rule 2.1 Giving Precedence to the Duties of Judicial Office

A judge's job responsibilities come first, before anything else in their life. This means work duties come before personal interests, side activities, business dealings, or other outside commitments a judge might have.

If a judge is involved in community groups, teaching, writing, or other outside activities, those things need to take a back seat whenever they conflict with the judge's actual court duties. The point is to make sure judges are always able to fully do their jobs and are not distracted or pulled away by other things they have going on in their lives.

This rule protects the public by making sure judges stay focused on hearing cases fairly and handling their court responsibilities properly. It also serves as a reminder that being a judge is a serious commitment that requires putting the role above personal preferences or outside interests.