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Okla. Code Jud. Conduct 2.7

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Rule 2.7 Responsibility to Decide

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Rule Text

A judge shall hear and decide matters assigned to the judge, except when disqualification is required by Rule 2.11 or other law. Administrative reassignment for the purpose of judicial efficiency is not prohibited.

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 have a duty to actually handle the cases assigned to them. They can't dodge or pass off cases just because they're difficult, controversial, or unpopular. If a case lands on a judge's desk, that judge is expected to hear it and make a decision.

There are exceptions to this duty. A judge must step aside if there's a real conflict of interest or another legal reason requiring disqualification, as described in Rule 2.11. Courts can also reassign cases to other judges for practical reasons, like balancing workloads or keeping the court running smoothly. This is different from a judge trying to avoid a case they simply don't want to deal with.

The point of this rule is to make sure judges don't shirk their responsibilities. People who go to court deserve to have their case heard by the judge assigned to it, not have that judge pass it along without good reason. This helps keep the court system fair and reliable.

Committee Notes

[1] Judges must be available to decide the matters that come before the court. Although there are times when disqualification is necessary to protect the rights of litigants and preserve public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, judges must be available to decide matters that come before the courts. Unwarranted disqualification may bring public disfavor to the court and to the judge personally. The dignity of the court, the judge's respect for fulfillment of judicial duties, and a proper concern for the burdens that may be imposed upon the judge's colleagues require that a judge not use disqualification to avoid cases that present difficult, controversial, or unpopular issues.

← Previous Rule 2.6: Ensuring the Right to Be Heard Next → Rule 2.8: Decorum, Demeanor, and Communication with Jurors