Rule 3.5 Use of Nonpublic Information

Judges often learn private information while doing their job that regular people don't have access to. This might include details from sealed court files, confidential reports, or other case information that isn't available to the public.

This rule says judges can't use that inside information for personal reasons or share it with others for reasons that have nothing to do with their work on the bench. For example, a judge couldn't use private financial details from a case to make a personal investment, or tell a friend about confidential information they learned while handling a case.

The point is to stop judges from taking advantage of information they only have access to because of their position. Judges are trusted with private details to help them do their job fairly, not so they can benefit themselves or others outside of that job.