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Standard 2(T) Disciplinary responsibilities

Canon 2. A Judge Must Uphold the Public Trust

1. A judge who receives reliable information indicating a substantial likelihood that another judge has committed a violation of these Canons or standards that raises a substantial question as to the judge’s fitness for office must inform the Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission.

2. A judge who receives reliable information indicating a substantial likelihood that a lawyer has committed a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct that raises a substantial question as to the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects must inform the Virginia State Bar.

3. A judge has absolute immunity from civil action with respect to the discharge of disciplinary responsibilities under this standard.

4. The provisions of this Canon do not require any action by a judge or the disclosure of knowledge or information gained by a judge who is a board or committee member of The Virginia Judges & Lawyers Assistance Program, or who is a board or committee member of any other wellness or assistance program, or who is a trained volunteer for any such program, or who is otherwise cooperating in a particular assistance effort when such knowledge or information is obtained for the purpose of fulfilling the recognized objectives of the program.