Rule 2.16 Cooperation with Disciplinary Authorities

Judges are expected to work honestly with agencies that investigate judges and lawyers for misconduct. If a disciplinary agency asks a judge questions or requests information, the judge must answer truthfully and fully. Judges cannot dodge these investigations or mislead the people running them.

Judges also cannot punish or get back at someone because that person helped with or took part in an investigation of a judge or lawyer. This means a judge cannot treat someone worse in court, deny them opportunities, or harm them in any way because they cooperated with an investigation. This protection applies whether the judge does this directly or through other people.

This rule exists to keep the system that polices judges and lawyers working properly. If judges could lie to investigators or punish witnesses, it would scare people away from reporting real misconduct. The rule helps make sure people feel safe coming forward and that investigations get honest answers.