Rule 1.3 Definitions
Rule Text
For the purposes of this Code, the following definitions apply:
Appropriate authority: The authority responsible for initiating disciplinary proceedings in connection with a violation of this Code.
Assist in fundraising: Any fundraising activity, including raising, managing, or investing funds, other than personally soliciting funds.
Discriminatory organization: An organization that, as a policy or practice and contrary to applicable federal or state law, treats persons less favorably in granting membership privileges, allowing participation, or providing services on the basis of sex, gender identity, race, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or age.
Domestic partner: A registered domestic partner or a person with whom another person maintains a household and an intimate relationship, other than a person to whom he or she is legally married.
Economic interest: Ownership of more than a de minimis legal or equitable interest or a relationship as director, advisor or other active participant in the affairs of a party, except that:
(a) ownership in a mutual or common investment fund that owns securities is not an "economic interest" unless the judge participates in the management of the fund;
(b) holding an office in an educational, religious, charitable, fraternal or civic organization is not an "economic interest" in property of the organization;
(c) the proprietary interest of a policyholder in a mutual insurance company, a depositor in a mutual savings association, or a similar proprietary interest, is an "economic interest" in the organization only if the outcome of the proceeding could substantially affect the value of the interest; and
(d) ownership of government securities is an "economic interest" in the issuer only if the outcome of the proceeding could substantially affect the value of the securities.
Ex parte communication: A communication between a judge and fewer than all parties or their lawyers, concerning a pending or impending matter.
Impending matter: A matter that is imminent or expected to occur in the near future.
Judge: An officer of a judicial system performing judicial functions.
Judge's family member: The judge's spouse or domestic partner or a person within the third degree of relationship to them.
Judicial candidate: Any person, including a sitting judge, who is seeking to be selected for judicial office by election or appointment. A person becomes a candidate for judicial office as soon as the person makes a public announcement of candidacy, declares or files as a candidate with the Secretary of State or files an application for appointment with the Governor, and for as long as the position for which election or appointment is sought remains unfilled.
Judicial office: A judicial function or position that is performed or occupied by a judge.
Knowingly: Characterized by actual awareness of a fact or circumstance.
Matter: Includes any judicial or other proceeding, application, request for a ruling or other determination, contract, claim, controversy, investigation, charge, accusation, arrest, or other particular matter involving a specific party or parties; and any other matter covered by the conflict of interest rules of a government agency.
On the merits: Affecting any legal right or duty of the parties in a matter.
Pending matter: A matter that has commenced. A matter continues to be pending through any appellate process until final disposition.
Personally solicit funds: Directly requesting financial support or in-kind services, in person, by letter, by telephone, or by any other means of communication, but does not include receiving and handling funds or goods donated or offered in exchange for goods and services sold to raise funds.
Settlement judge: A judge who participates in settlement discussions.
Sexual harassment: Includes but is not limited to sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is unwelcome.
Third degree of relationship: A relationship that includes the following persons: great-grandparent, grandparent, parent, uncle, aunt, brother, sister, child, grandchild, great-grandchild, nephew, and niece.