’WPC øO ”Ī^Ča›-2ńŃõ*#`ˆµF\ŃDtž=™3zZ,ožkQ8 ±ēe…ŠĆ`¾śk#~tŹW_Ŗ½²?€Ō×N.Ž ŠThe€Honorable€Alan€M.€Ō_ŌWilnerŌ_ŌŠ d ŠThe€Honorable€Dale€R.€Ō_ŌCathellŌ_ŌŠ ź: ŠThe€Honorable€Glenn€T.€Ō_ŌHarrellŌ_Ō,€Jr.Š Ą ŠThe€Honorable€Lynne€A.€Ō_ŌBattagliaŌ_ŌŠ –ę ŠThe€Honorable€Clayton€Greene,€Jr.,Š l¼ Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąJudgesŠ B’ Šą  ąThe€Court€of€Appeals€of€MarylandŠ h Šą  ąRobert€C.€Murphy€Courts€of€Š ī> Šą  ą€€Appeal€BuildingŠ Ä Šą  ąAnnapolis,€Maryland€€21401Š šź ŠĢĢYour€Honors:Ō‡XO#XXXąŌŠ !l" ŠĢŌ#†XąXXXO#ė#Ōą  ąThe€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€and€the€Rules€CommitteeŠ ŗ" $ Šjointly€submit€this€Report€of€the€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€andŠ #ą% ŠOne€Hundred€Fifty„Third€Report€of€the€Rules€Committee.€€TheŠ f$¶& ŠCommittees€recommend€that€the€Court€adopt€the€proposed€rulesŠ <%Œ ' Šchanges€transmitted€with€this€Report.€€Transmitted€herewith€areŠ &b!( Šproposed€new€Rule€16„812.1,€into€which€provisions€concerning€theŠ č&8") ŠJudicial€Ethics€Committee€have€been€transferred€from€Canon€7€ofŠ ¾'#* Šthe€current€Maryland€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€and€revised;Š ”(ä#+ Šproposed€revised€Rules€16„813€and€16„814;€and€conforming€andŠ j)ŗ$, Šrelated€amendments€to€Rule€16„816€and€Rules€3.5€and€8.2€of€theŠ @*%- ŠMaryland€[Lawyersšš]€Rules€of€Professional€Conduct.€€ConformingŠ +f&. Šamendments€to€Rule€16„815€and€to€cross€references€that€followŠ ģ+<'/ ŠRules€4„327,€5„605,€and€17„105€also€are€proposed.Š Ā,(0 ŠĢŠ  n.¾)2 Šą  ąIn€revising€Rule€16„813€(Maryland€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct),Š ° Šthe€Committees€reviewed€the€current€Maryland€Code€originallyŠ †Ö Šadopted€in€1987€and€amended€from€time€to€time€(š šMaryland€CodeŠ \¬ Š(1987)šš),€the€Model€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€adopted€by€theŠ 2‚ ŠAmerican€Bar€Association€in€2000€(š šABA€Code€(2000)šš),€withŠ X Šamendments€in€August€2003€(š šABA€Code€(2000,€amended€2003)šš),€andŠ Ž. Špertinent€Maryland€Judicial€Ethics€Opinions.€€For€the€most€part,Š “  Šthe€Committees€achieved€consensus€as€to€the€recommendedŠ Š Ś Šprovisions€of€the€Code.€€Where€consensus€could€not€be€reached,Š ` ° Šthe€separate€recommendations€of€the€two€Committees€are€presentedŠ 6 †  Šin€the€form€of€alternatives€for€the€Courtššs€consideration.Š  \  ŠĢą  ąA€summary€of€the€significant€aspects€of€the€proposals€is€setŠ ø  Šforth€below.Š ŽŽ  ŠĢĢą@P P ģąņņņņRule€16„812.1.€€Judicial€Ethics€CommitteeóóóóˆŠ `  ŠĢą  ąOrganizationally,€the€Committees€recommend€that€theŠ Ā Šprovisions€relating€to€the€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€appear€in€aŠ ˜č Šrule€separate€from€the€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct.€€ThisŠ n¾ Šrecommendation€is€made€because€the€provisions€are€not€properly€aŠ D” Šš šCanonšš€as€delineated€in€the€Preamble€to€the€proposed€revisedŠ j ŠCode€and€because€the€duties€of€the€Judicial€Ethics€CommitteeŠ š@ Šextend€beyond€the€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct.Š Ę ŠĢą  ąThe€Committees€propose€the€modification€and€addition€ofŠ rĀ Šnumerous€provisions€relating€to€the€organization€and€operation€ofŠ H˜ Šthe€Judicial€Ethics€Committee,€based€on€a€model€for€legislativeŠ n Šdrafting€of€statutes€for€boards,€commissions,€etc.€€Thus,€forŠ ōD Šexample,€provisions€as€to€a€vice€chair,€meeting€and€quorumŠ Ź Šprovisions,€and€a€provision€for€staff€are€proposed.Š  š ŠĢą  ąThe€quorum€provision€is€based€on€the€membership€š šthenŠ L œ! Šserving,šš€rather€than€the€authorized€membership,€in€accordanceŠ "!r" Šwith€current€practice.Š ų!H# ŠĢą  ąThe€term€of€members€of€the€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€isŠ ¤#ō% Šproposed€to€be€extended€from€1€to€3€years.€€The€CommitteesŠ z$Ź& Šbelieve€that€staggered€3„year€terms€provide€some€continuity€inŠ P%  ' Šdecisions€of€the€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€and,€for€ease€ofŠ &&v!( Šimplementation,€recommend€that€the€number€of€members€be€set€at€9,Š ü&L") Šrather€than€the€current€range€of€7€to€9€members.€€The€CommitteesŠ Ņ'"#* Šare€aware€of€the€time€demands€of€membership€and€the€direct€impactŠ Ø(ų#+ Šof€the€Judicial€Ethics€Committeeššs€actions€on€judges.€Š ~)Ī$, ŠAccordingly,€the€Committees€have€concluded€that€the€Court€mayŠ T*¤%- Šwish€to€consider€some€form€of€term€limit.€€A€term€limitation€isŠ *+z&. Šadded,€in€accordance€with€the€ABA€Code€(2000)€provisions.€€AŠ ,P'/ Šslightly€different€form€of€limit€is€stated€for€the€Commission€onŠ Ö,&(0 ŠJudicial€Disabilities€in€Maryland€Constitution,€Article€IV,€šš4AŠ ¬-ü(1 Š(d).ņņņ ņ1ó óóóŠ ‚.Ņ)2 ŠŌ_Ō‡ą  ąThe€Committees€have€not€included€in€the€list€of€duties€ofŠ ° Šthe€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€the€duty€to€review€an€agreementŠ †Ö Šbetween€a€judge„designate€and€his€or€her€law€firm€for€paymentsŠ \¬ Šrelating€to€the€liquidated€value€of€the€judge„designateššsŠ 2‚ Šinterest€in€the€practice.€€The€requirement€that€the€agreement€beŠ X Šsubmitted€to€the€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€currently€is€set€forthŠ Ž. Šin€Canon€4I€(b)€(2)„(4)€of€Maryland€Code€(1987)€and€is€notŠ “  Šcarried€forward€in€the€proposed€revised€Code.€€The€agreementsŠ Š Ś Šseldom€are€submitted€sufficiently€in€advance€of€qualification€toŠ ` ° Šallow€meaningful€review,€and€the€nature€of€review€is€ministerial,Š 6 †  Špertaining€only€to€compliance€with€a€presumptive€5„year€periodŠ  \  Šfor€payout.€€Thus,€the€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€is€in€a€positionŠ ā 2  Šof€approving€an€agreement€containing€such€a€period€notwith„Š ø  Šstanding€other€provisions€egregiously€in€violation€of€otherŠ ŽŽ  Šprovisions€of€the€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct.€€The€provisions€ofŠ d“  ŠCode,€Courts€Article,€šš1„203,€which€allow€agreements,€and€mandateŠ :Š  Šrecusal,€are€not€affected.Š `  ŠĢą  ąThe€provisions€for€requests€for€opinions€have€been€narrowedŠ ¼  Što€avoid,€with€one€exception,€the€situation€in€which€a€personŠ ’ā Šother€than€a€State€officialņ ņņņ2ó óóó€in€the€Judicial€Branch€requestsŠ hø Šcomment€on€the€officialššs€own€conduct.€€As€explained€in€theŠ >Ž Šproposed€Committee€note,€the€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€believesŠ d Šthat€this€narrowing€avoids€the€need€to€opine€on€incomplete€orŠ ź: Šinaccurate€descriptions€of€conduct.€€It€also€may€help€to€clarifyŠ Ą Šthe€respective€jurisdiction€of€the€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€andŠ –ę ŠCommission€on€Judicial€Disabilities.€€For€the€same€purpose,€theŠ l¼ ŠJudicial€Ethics€Committee€contemplates€asking€requesters€to€useŠ B’ Šboilerplate€language€disavowing€knowledge€of€pending€or€impendingŠ h Šdisciplinary€action€or€law€suit€against€the€requester.€€AlthoughŠ ī> Šthe€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€does€not€see€the€need€for€inclusionŠ Ä Šof€such€language€in€the€Code,€for€the€Courtššs€information,€aŠ šź Šdraft€form€is€set€forth€in€a€footnote€to€this€Report.ņņņ ņ3óóó óŠ pĄ  ŠĢą  ąThe€exception€to€the€general€rule€that€a€request€must€be€asŠ !l" Što€the€State€officialššs€own€conduct€is€a€provision€that€allowsŠ ņ!B# Šthe€Chief€Judge€of€the€Court€of€Appeals€to€request€an€opinion€asŠ Č"$ Što€the€proper€interpretation€of€an€ethics€provision,€generally.€Š ž#ī% ŠAs€noted€in€the€proposed€Committee€note,€the€Committees€know€ofŠ t$Ä& Šinstances€in€which€a€general€interpretation€of€an€ethicalŠ J%š ' Šprovision€aids€in€the€implementation€of€administrative€duties€orŠ  &p!( Šforewarns€numerous€State€officials€of€situations€that€might€giveŠ ö&F") Šrise€to€violations€but€that€the€officials€might€not€otherwiseŠ Ģ'#* Šrealize€to€be€potentially€violative.€€Hence,€the€proposedŠ ¢(ņ#+ Šprovision€for€requests€by€the€Chief€Judge€of€the€Court€ofŠ x)Č$, ŠAppeals.€€The€Committees€considered€allowing€various€other€judgesŠ N*ž%- Šwith€administrative€duties€to€make€such€requests€but€had€concernsŠ $+t&. Šabout€the€number€of,€and€potential€for€overlap€in,€requests€and,Š ś+J'/ Štherefore,€propose€a€practice€similar€to€that€for€requestingŠ Š, (0 Šopinions€from€the€Attorney€General.Š ¦-ö(1 ŠŠ |.Ģ)2 Šą  ąProvisions€are€proposed€to€spell€out€the€minimum€contents€ofŠ ° Šrequests,€to€facilitate€prompt€response€to€inquiries.€€It€isŠ †Ö Šhoped€that,€to€assist€the€Judicial€Ethics€Committee,€StateŠ \¬ Šofficials€would€include€in€the€request,€for€example,€citations€toŠ 2‚ Šdefinitive€opinions.€€In€this€regard,€the€Committees€areŠ X Šrecommending€another€concept€patterned€on€practice€of€theŠ Ž. ŠAttorney€General€š!š€the€use€of€letters€of€advice,€which€areŠ “  Šintended€to€provide€the€safe€harbor€of€a€full€Judicial€EthicsŠ Š Ś ŠCommittee€opinion€but€to€be€issued€in€a€shorter€time€frame.€€TheŠ ` ° ŠCommittees€feel€that,€as€to€a€number€of€issues,€the€answer€isŠ 6 †  Šclear,€but€a€written€response€is€required€from€the€JudicialŠ  \  ŠEthics€Committee€for€the€safe„harbor€effect.€€After€discussion,Š ā 2  Šthe€Committees€acceded€to€the€request€of€the€Commission€onŠ ø  ŠJudicial€Disabilities€that€letters€of€advice€be€issued€by€a€panelŠ ŽŽ  Šof€at€least€three€members€of€the€Judicial€Ethics€Committee.Š d“  ŠĢą  ąThe€Committees€are€recommending€clarification€that€aŠ `  Šrequest,€as€well€as€the€response,€is€confidential.€€Hence,€aŠ ę6 Šrequirement€is€added€for€a€requester€to€specify€an€address€toŠ ¼  Šwhich€response€can€be€made,€so€that€a€business€address€need€notŠ ’ā Šbe€used€should€the€requester€wish€otherwise.€€Note,€however,€theŠ hø Šconfidentiality€may€be€negated€as€š šrequired€by€law,šš€as€well€asŠ >Ž Šat€the€direction€of€the€Court€of€Appeals.€€The€CommitteesŠ d Šdeclined€to€endorse€a€recommendation€of€the€Commission€onŠ ź: ŠJudicial€Disabilities€for€information€concerning€the€identity€ofŠ Ą Šrequesters,€perceiving€a€chilling€effect€on€requests.Š –ę ŠĢą  ąProvision€is€made€for€the€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€toŠ B’ Šdecide€that€an€opinion€should€be€unpublished€or€published.€€ThisŠ h Šaddition€reflects€current€practice.€€As€to€published€opinions,Š ī> Šthe€Chair€of€the€Judicial€Ethics€Committee,€rather€than€theŠ Ä ŠSecretary€of€the€Judicial€Conference,€would€control€editing€inŠ šź Šaccordance€with€the€confidentiality€requirements€of€the€Rule.€Š pĄ  ŠRecently,€opinions€have€been€written€without€the€identifyingŠ F –! Šinformation,€to€obviate€the€need€for€redaction.Š !l" ŠĢĢą@ččģąņņņņRule€16„813.€€Maryland€Code€of€Judicial€ConductóóóóˆŠ ž#ī% ŠĢņ ņņņPreambleó óóóŠ P%  ' ŠĢą  ąThe€most€significant€change€proposed€by€the€ABA€Code€(2000),Š  'Z") Šand€endorsed€by€the€Judicial€Ethics€and€Rules€Committees,€is€theŠ ą'0#* Šsubstitution€of€š šshallšš€for€š šshouldšš€in€numerous€provisions€ofŠ ¶($+ Šthe€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct,€making€the€affected€provisionsŠ Œ)Ü$, Šmandatory,€rather€than€hortatory.€€As€stated€in€the€proposed€Š b*²%- ŠPreamble,€the€use€of€š šshallšš€or€š šshall€notšš€in€the€text€of€aŠ 8+ˆ&. ŠCanon€is€intended€to€impose€a€binding€obligation,€the€violationŠ ,^'/ Šof€which€can€result€in€disciplinary€action.€€This€usage€shouldŠ ä,4(0 Šafford€clearer€direction€to€judges€as€to€the€infractions€thatŠ ŗ- )1 Šcould€result€in€disciplinary€proceedings.Š .ą)2 Š‡ą  ąThe€ABA€Code€(2000)€Preamble€refers€to€the€Code€asŠ ° Šš šprovid[ing]€guidance€to€judges€and€candidates€for€judicialŠ †Ö Šofficešš€and€as€š šprovid[ing]€guidance€to€assist€judges€inŠ \¬ Šestablishing€and€maintaining€high€standards€of€judicial€andŠ 2‚ Špersonal€conduct.šš€€The€Committees€omit€the€former€reference,€asŠ X Šmisleadingly€incomplete€in€light€of€the€numerous€statutoryŠ Ž. Šprovisions€governing€candidates,€the€proposed€amendments€to€RuleŠ “  Š8.2€of€the€Maryland€[Lawyersšš]€Rules€of€Professional€Conduct€setŠ Š Ś Šforth€below,€and€the€inapplicability€of€both€the€Code€and€theŠ ` ° ŠRules€of€Professional€Conduct€to€unsuccessful,€non„lawyerŠ 6 †  Šcandidates€for€an€orphansšš€court.€€The€Committees€omit€theŠ  \  Šlimitation€to€judges€from€the€latter€reference,€as€too€narrowŠ ā 2  Šgiven€the€potential€application€of€the€Code€to€successfulŠ ø  Šcandidates€for€judicial€office.€€Accordingly,€disclaimer€of€anyŠ ŽŽ  Šintent€to€š šdiscourag[e]€candidates€from€seeking€judicial€officeššŠ d“  Šis€added.Š :Š  ŠĢą  ąInclusion€of€references€to€pertinent€ethics€opinions,Š ę6 Šadministrative€orders€and€other€documents€in€appropriate€parts€ofŠ ¼  Šthe€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€was€discussed,€but€the€CommitteesŠ ’ā Šconcluded€that€references€could€become€outdated.€€Accordingly,Š hø Šthe€Committees€added€the€last€paragraph€of€the€proposed€PreambleŠ >Ž Šand€an€accompanying€Committee€note,€as€a€reminder€of€otherŠ d Špertinent€sources€of€ethical€guidance.Š ź: ŠĢĢņ ņņņTerminologyó óóóŠ l¼ ŠĢą  ąThe€proposed€Terminology€section€defines€significant€termsŠ &v Šappearing€in€the€proposed€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€š!š€in€theŠ üL Šinstance€of€š šhonorarium,šš€in€a€Comment€to€proposed€Canon€4.€Š Ņ" ŠSeveral€of€the€defined€terms,€š šgift,šš€š šhonorarium,šš€and€š šmemberŠ Øų Šof€the€judgeššs€household,šš€incorporate€provisions€of€the€currentŠ ~Ī  ŠMaryland€Public€Ethics€Law€applicable€to€judges,€among€otherŠ T ¤! Šš šState€officialsšš€in€the€Judicial€Branch.Š *!z" ŠĢą  ąA€substantive€disagreement€between€the€Judicial€EthicsŠ Ö"&$ ŠCommittee€and€the€Rules€Committee€concerns€the€definition€ofŠ ¬#ü% Šš šsignificant€financial€interest.šš€€The€Judicial€Ethics€CommitteeŠ ‚$Ņ& Šproposes€conformance€to€the€current€Maryland€Public€Ethics€LawŠ X%Ø ' Šprovision.€€The€Rules€Committee€proposes€a€definition€that€isŠ .&~!( Šderived€from€the€definition€of€š šfinancial€interestšš€that€is€setŠ 'T") Šforth€in€Code,€State€Government€Article€(1984,€1995€ReplacementŠ Ś'*#* ŠVolume€and€1998€Supplement),€šš15„105€(n).€€At€its€October€5,€1999Š °($+ Šopen€meeting€on€the€One€Hundred€Forty„Sixth€Report€of€the€RulesŠ †)Ö$, ŠCommittee,€the€Court€declined€to€adopt€proposed€amendments€toŠ \*¬%- ŠRules€16„813€and€16„814€that€would€have€conformed€the€CommentŠ 2+‚&. Šfollowing€Canon€3C€(1)€of€each€Rule€to€the€statutory€definitionŠ ,X'/ Šof€š šfinancial€interest,šš€as€amended€in€1999.€€The€definition€ofŠ Ž,.(0 Šš šsignificant€financial€interestšš€recommended€by€the€RulesŠ “-)1 ŠCommittee€carries€forward€the€1999€directive€of€the€Court.€€Ō_ŌTheŠ Š.Ś)2 ŠJudicial€Ethics€Committee,€however,€believes€that€the€MarylandŠ ° ŠPublic€Ethics€Law,€as€currently€enacted€to€cover€all€StateŠ †Ö Šofficials,€prevails€over€the€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct,€and€theŠ \¬ ŠJudicial€Ethics€Committee€strongly€recommends€conformance€to€theŠ 2‚ Šcurrent€statute.Š X ŠĢą  ąA€definition€of€š šimpartial,šš€š šimpartiality,šš€andŠ “  Šš šimpartiallyšš€serves€as€the€linchpin€of€the€August€2003Š Š Ś Šamendments€to€the€ABA€Code€(2000).€€The€definition€encompassesŠ ` ° Šconcepts€that€are€vital€to€the€maintenance€of€an€independentŠ 6 †  Šjudiciary€and€provides€a€clear€statement€of€the€compelling€stateŠ  \  Šinterest€protected€by€the€restrictions€on€a€judgeššs€orŠ ā 2  Šcandidateššs€speech€set€forth€in€proposed€Canons€3B€(8)€and€(9),Š ø  Š4A,€and€5B€(1)(a)€and€(d).€€The€Committees€believe€that€the€ABAŠ ŽŽ  Šapproach€comports€with€the€constitutional€principles€enunciatedŠ d“  Šin€ņņRepublican€Party€of€Minnesota€v.€Whiteóó,€122€S.€Ct.€2528Š :Š  Š(2002),€and€have€incorporated€that€approach€into€the€proposedŠ `  Šrevised€Code.Š ę6 ŠĢą  ąA€non„substantive€area€of€disagreement€between€the€JudicialŠ ’ā ŠEthics€Committee€and€the€Rules€Committee€concerns€the€definitionŠ hø Šof€š šknow,šš€which€the€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€suggests€be€statedŠ >Ž Šin€the€infinitive€š!š€thereby€covering€variations€not€listed€in€theŠ d ŠABA€Code€(2000)€and€Rules€Committeeššs€versions.€€This€formatŠ ź: Šcorresponds€to€that€of€š šrequire.šš€€The€Rules€Committeeššs€versionŠ Ą Šis€based€upon€the€ABA€Code€(2000)€version,€which€includes€theŠ –ę Šnoun€and€adverbial€forms€of€the€concept€of€knowing,€as€well€asŠ l¼ Šthe€verb€form.€€All€of€the€forms€of€the€word€used€in€the€proposedŠ B’ ŠCanons€are€included€in€the€Ō_ŌdefinitionalŌ_Ō€list€recommended€by€theŠ h ŠRules€Committee.Š ī> ŠĢĢņņCanon€1óóŠ pĄ  ŠĢą  ąProposed€Canon€1€sets€forth€general€rules€as€to€integrityŠ !l" Šand€independence€of€the€Judiciary.€€There€are€no€disagreementsŠ ņ!B# Šwith€respect€to€proposed€Canon€1.Š Č"$ ŠĢą  ąThe€third€and€fourth€sentences€of€the€Comment€are€based€onŠ t$Ä& ŠABA€Code€(2000,€amended€2003).Š J%š ' ŠĢĢņņCanon€2óóŠ Ģ'#* ŠĢą  ąProposed€Canon€2€sets€forth€the€prohibitions€againstŠ x)Č$, Šimpropriety€and€the€appearance€of€such.€€There€are€noŠ N*ž%- Šdisagreements€with€respect€to€proposed€Canon€2.Š $+t&. ŠĢą  ąThe€fourth€sentence€of€the€proposed€Comment€to€Canon€2A€isŠ Š, (0 Šbased€on€the€ABA€Code€(2000,€amended€2003).Š ¦-ö(1 ŠŠ |.Ģ)2 Šą  ąAdditions€to€Canon€2B€expressly€mention€politicalŠ ° Šrelationships€and€employment€offers€and€opportunities€and€requireŠ †Ö Šthat€the€judge€not€allow€judicial€conduct€to€be€improperlyŠ \¬ Šinfluenced€or€appear€to€be€improperly€influenced€by€suchŠ 2‚ Šrelationships,€offers,€or€opportunities.Š X ŠĢĢņņCanon€3óóŠ Š Ś ŠĢą  ąProposed€Canon€3€relates€to€performance€of€judicial€duties.Š 6 †  ŠĢą  ąIn€proposed€Canon€3,€the€Committees€have€diverged€from€theŠ ā 2  Šorganization€in€ABA€Code€(2000)€by€recommending€that€the€CanonŠ ø  Šbegin€with€a€general€provision€that€sets€forth€standardsŠ ŽŽ  Šgenerally€applicable€to€all€judicial€duties€š!š€both€adjudicativeŠ d“  Šand€administrative.€€This€arrangement€avoids€the€duplication€andŠ :Š  Šinconsistency€in€standards€occurring€in€ABA€Code€(2000)€withŠ `  Šrespect€to€adjudicative€versus€administrative€functions.Š ę6 ŠĢą  ąConsiderable€discussion€ensued€with€respect€to€theŠ ’ā Šprovisions€governing€public€comment€by€judges€in€proposed€CanonŠ hø Š3B€(8).€€The€Committees€wish€neither€to€foreclose,€for€example,Š >Ž Šlectures€on€the€law€whose€currency€demands€allusion€to€pendingŠ d Šcases€nor€to€open€the€gates€to€comments€suggesting€a€lack€ofŠ ź: Šregard€for€judicial€propriety.€€Š Ą ŠĢą  ąTwo€significant€components€of€the€August€2003€amendments€toŠ l¼ ŠABA€Code€(2000)€are€contained€in€proposed€Canon€3.€€First,€inŠ B’ Šrecognition€of€the€necessity€of€making€all€speech€restrictionsŠ h Šapplicable€to€sitting€judges€as€well€as€to€candidates€forŠ ī> Šjudicial€office,€proposed€Canon€3B€(9)€mirrors€the€restrictionsŠ Ä Šset€forth€in€proposed€Canon€5B€(1)(d),€discussed€below.€€AnŠ šź Šexplanatory€Comment€as€to€the€impartiality,€independence,€andŠ pĄ  Šintegrity€of€the€judiciary€follows€proposed€Canon€3B€(9).€€InŠ F –! Šorder€to€track,€as€closely€as€possible,€the€provisions€in€ABAŠ !l" ŠCode€(2000,€amended€2003)€concerning€restrictions€on€judicialŠ ņ!B# Šspeech,€the€ABA€terminology€of€š špendingšš€and€š šimpendingššŠ Č"$ Šproceedings€is€used€in€proposed€Canon€3B€(9)€and€the€accompanyingŠ ž#ī% ŠComment,€although€the€more€modern€terminology€of€a€proceedingŠ t$Ä& Šš šbefore€the€judge€...€or€such€proceeding€is€imminentšš€is€used€inŠ J%š ' Šthe€definition€of€š šsignificant€financial€interestšš€in€theŠ  &p!( ŠTerminology€section€of€the€proposed€revised€Code.Š ö&F") ŠĢą  ąThe€second€significant€component€of€the€August€2003Š ¢(ņ#+ Šamendments€added€to€the€ABA€Code€(2000),€Canon€3€provides€forŠ x)Č$, Šrecusal€as€a€remedy€for€preserving€judicial€impartiality.€Š N*ž%- ŠProposed€Canon€3D€(1)(e)€requires€recusal€if€a€judge,€while€aŠ $+t&. Šjudge€or€a€candidate€for€judicial€office,€has€made€a€statementŠ ś+J'/ Šwithin€the€ambit€of€the€speech€restrictions€set€forth€in€theŠ Š, (0 ŠCode.Š ¦-ö(1 ŠŠ |.Ģ)2 Šą  ąWith€respect€to€proposed€Canon€3F€(2)€and€(3),€theŠ ° ŠCommittees€decided€to€track€the€ABA€Code€(2000)€provision,€whileŠ †Ö Šnoting€that€proposed€Canon€3F€(2)€refers€to€a€judgeššs€š šfitnessŠ \¬ Šfor€office,šš€but€proposed€Canon€3F€(3)€š!š€as€do€the€Rules€ofŠ 2‚ ŠProfessional€Conduct€š!š€refers€to€a€lawyerššs€š šhonesty,Š X Štrustworthiness,€or€fitness€as€a€lawyer.šš€€Aside€from€questioningŠ Ž. Šwhether€š šhonestyšš€and€š štrustworthinessšš€are€not€subsumed€underŠ “  Šš šfitnessšš€in€the€case€of€a€lawyer€as€well€as€a€judge,€theŠ Š Ś ŠCommittees€debated€whether€the€introductory€clause,€š š[Ō_Ōi]fŌ_Ō€otherŠ ` ° Šcorrective€measures€...€were€not€successful,šš€should€modify€onlyŠ 6 †  Šfitness.šš€€That€is,€should€Canon€3F€(3)€read€as€follows:Š  \  ŠĢą8  ąą ` ąA€judge€shall€inform€the€Attorney€GrievanceŠ ø  ŠCommission€of€facts€known€to€the€judge€that€raise€aŠ ŽŽ  Šsubstantial€question€as€to:Šd“ Š Š  ŠĢą8  ąą ` ą(1)€a€lawyerššs€honesty€or€trustworthiness;€andŠ` Š Š  Šą8  ąą ` ą(2)€if€other€corrective€measures€are€notŠ ę6 Šappropriate€or,€if€attempted,€were€not€successful,€aŠ ¼  Šlawyerššs€fitness€as€a€lawyer€in€other€respects.Š’āŠ Š  ŠĢĢņņCanon€4óóŠ d ŠĢą  ąProposed€Canon€4€deals€with€extra„judicial€activities.Š Ą ŠĢą  ąThe€Committees€disagree€as€to€the€language€of€a€proposedŠ l¼ ŠCommittee€note€following€proposed€Canon€4B,€with€the€onlyŠ B’ Šsubstantive€difference€the€inclusion€of€the€phrase€š šnot€toŠ h Šlecture€to€probationers€who€might€be€brought€back€before€theŠ ī> Šcourtšš€in€the€Judicial€Ethics€Committeeššs€version.Š Ä ŠĢą  ąAnother€portion€of€the€Code€about€which€the€Committees€wereŠ pĄ  Šunable€to€agree€is€proposed€Canon€4C€(2).€€The€Judicial€EthicsŠ F –! ŠCommittee€believes€that€the€Canon€should€retain€the€currentŠ !l" Šreference€to€acceptance€of€š šadvisoryšš€positions.€€This€versionŠ ņ!B# Šis,€on€its€face,€narrower€than€the€Rules€Committeeššs€version€but,Š Č"$ Šthe€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€feels,€more€consistent€with€dualŠ ž#ī% Šand€incompatible€office€limitations.€€The€Rules€Committee€omitsŠ t$Ä& Šthe€word€š šadvisoryšš€in€its€version€of€the€proposed€Canon,Š J%š ' Šbelieving€that€the€Canon€should€be€worded€so€that,€for€example,Š  &p!( Šjudges€may€serve€on€the€State€Commission€on€Criminal€SentencingŠ ö&F") ŠPolicy,€the€duties€of€which€are€not€merely€advisory,€and€are€notŠ Ģ'#* Šautomatically€precluded€from€serving€on€commissions€such€as€aŠ ¢(ņ#+ Šcountyššs€charter€revision€commission.Š x)Č$, ŠĢą  ąCanon€4E€has€been€revised€to€allow€a€judge€to€serve€as€aŠ $+t&. Šfiduciary€for€a€š šmember€of€the€judgeššs€family,šš€thereby€obviatingŠ ś+J'/ Šthe€need€for€the€provision€of€current€Canon€4G€that€enables€aŠ Š, (0 Šjudge,€in€š šextraordinary€cases,šš€to€serve€as€attorney„in„fact€or€Š  ¦-ö(1 Šguardian€for€a€š šperson€with€whom€the€judge€maintains€a€closeŠ ° Šfamilial€relationship.ššŠ †Ö ŠĢą  ąThe€introductory€clause€of€proposed€Canon€4H,€š š[Ō_Ōu]nlessŌ_ŌŠ 2‚ Šotherwise€prohibited€by€law,šš€and€the€first€paragraph€of€theŠ X Šproposed€Comment€have€been€added€as€a€warning€about€theŠ Ž. Šrestrictions€in€the€Maryland€Public€Ethics€Law€on€acceptance€ofŠ “  Šhonoraria.Š Š Ś ŠĢņņCanon€5óóŠ 6 †  ŠĢą  ąProposed€Canon€5€pertains€to€political€activity€of€judges.Š ā 2  ŠĢą  ąAs€required€after€ņņWhiteóó,€ņņsupraóó,€the€š šannouncešš€clause€isŠ ŽŽ  Šomitted€from€proposed€Canon€5B.€€In€conformance€with€ABA€CodeŠ d“  Š(2000,€amended€2003),€the€word€š šimpartialityšš€is€added€toŠ :Š  Šproposed€Canon€5B€(1)(a)€and€a€newly€constructed€clause€thatŠ `  Šcollapses€certain€portions€of€the€š šcommitšš€clause€into€theŠ ę6 Šš špledges€and€promisesšš€clause,€with€additional€modifications,€isŠ ¼  Šproposed€as€Canon€5B€(1)(d).€€As€stated€in€the€Report€of€the€ABAŠ ’ā ŠCommittees€that€drafted€the€August€2003€amendments,€Š hø ŠĢŅ` °ŅŅ` °ŅĢą ø ąThe€new€wording€of€the€provisionŠ ź: Šprovides€a€clear€enumeration€of€theŠ Ą Šrestricted€speech€(š šwith€respect€to€cases,Š –ę Šcontroversies€or€issues€that€are€likely€toŠ l¼ Šcome€before€the€courtšš)€and€a€clear€statementŠ B’ Šof€what€is€being€protected€by€the€restrictionŠ h Šof€this€speech€(š šinconsistent€with€theŠ ī> Šimpartial€performance€of€the€adjudicativeŠ Ä Šduties€of€the€officešš).€€In€the€opinion€ofŠ šź Šthe€Working€Group,€and€adopted€by€bothŠ pĄ  ŠStanding€Committees,€these€amended€provisionsŠ F –! Šof€Canon€5A€(3)(d)€[Canon€5B€(1)(d)€of€theŠ !l" Šproposed€revised€Maryland€Code]€provide€theŠ ņ!B# Šappropriate€construction€to€balance€the€FirstŠ Č"$ ŠAmendment€interest€in€vigorous€andŠ ž#ī% Šinformative€campaign€speech€with€theŠ t$Ä& Šcompelling€state€interest€in€performing€theŠ J%š ' Šduties€of€the€judicial€office€impartially.ņņņ ņ4ó óóóŠ  &p!( ŠĢŅ°` ŅŅ°` ŅĢą  ąProposed€Canon€5€C€has€been€modified€to€include€the€statusŠ ¢(ņ#+ Šof€lawyers€as€candidates.Š x)Č$, ŠĢą  ąProposed€Canon€5D€is€new€and€is€derived€in€part€from€ABAŠ $+t&. ŠCode€(2000),€Canon€5E€except€the€first€sentence.€The€provisionsŠ ś+J'/ Šof€Canon€5€that€are€applicable€to€lawyers€who€are€candidates€forŠ Š, (0 Šjudicial€office€have€been€included€in€proposed€amendments€to€RuleŠ ¦-ö(1 Š8.2€of€the€Maryland€[Lawyersšš]€Rules€of€Professional€Conduct.€Š |.Ģ)2 ŠŌ_ŌUnder€Canon€5D,€the€status€of€the€candidate€during€the€campaign€š!šŠ ° Šwhether€the€candidate€is€a€judge€or€a€lawyer€who€is€not€a€judge€š!šŠ †Ö Šdetermines€whether€Canon€5€or€Rule€8.2€(b)€of€the€Maryland€RulesŠ \¬ Šof€Professional€Conduct€governs€the€behavior€of€the€candidate.Š 2‚ ŠThe€status€of€the€candidate€when€disciplinary€proceedings€areŠ X Šinitiated€determines€whether€the€judicial€disciplinary€process€orŠ Ž. Šthe€attorney€disciplinary€process€is€used.Š “  ŠĢĢņņCanon€6óóŠ 6 †  ŠĢą  ąProposed€Canon€6€is€titled€š šCompliance.ššŠ ā 2  ŠĢą  ąThe€Committees€recommend€that€the€application€of€theŠ ŽŽ  ŠMaryland€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€be€expanded€to€bring€recalledŠ d“  Šjudges€within€the€ambit€of€proposed€Canon€4D€(1)(a),€which€barsŠ :Š  Šextra„judicial€business€or€financial€dealings€that€š šreasonablyŠ `  Šwould€be€perceived€to€violate€Canon€2B.šš€€The€Judicial€EthicsŠ ę6 ŠCommittee€believes,€however,€that€consideration€of€the€Code€ņņviz€Š ¼  Švizóó€recalled€judges€is€needed€in€greater€detail€than€is€possibleŠ ˜č Šwithin€the€scope€of€this€project.€In€any€event,€the€CommitteeŠ tÄ Šfeels€that€recalled€judges€should€be€included€as€members€of€anyŠ Jš Šsuch€study€group.Š  p ŠĢĢą@dd ģąņņņņRule€16„814.€€Maryland€Code€of€Conduct€for€Judicial€AppointeesóóóóˆŠ ¢ņ ŠĢą  ąThe€current€Code€of€Conduct€for€Judicial€Appointees€isŠ T¤ Špatterned€after€the€current€Maryland€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct.€Š *z ŠAccordingly,€the€Committees€have€prepared€proposed€new€Rule€16„Š P Š814,€Maryland€Code€of€Conduct€for€Judicial€Appointees,€generallyŠ Ö& Šreflecting€the€proposed€revisions€to€the€Code€of€JudicialŠ ¬ü ŠConduct.Š ‚Ņ  ŠĢņņPreambleóóŠ .!~" ŠĢą  ąThe€proposed€Preamble€is€derived€from€the€first€sentence€ofŠ Ś"*$ Šthe€current€Rule€and€the€accompanying€Committee€note.€€TheŠ °#% Šcurrent€definition€of€š šjudicial€appointeešš€is€proposed€to€beŠ †$Ö& Štransferred€to€the€proposed€š šTerminologyšš€section€of€this€Code.Š \%¬ ' ŠĢĢņņTerminologyóóŠ Ž'.#* ŠĢą  ąThe€proposed€Terminology€section€repeats€those€definitionsŠ Š)Ś$, Šproposed€in€the€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€that€appear€in€the€CodeŠ `*°%- Šof€Conduct€for€Judicial€Appointees,€substituting€š šjudicialŠ 6+†&. Šappointeešš€for€š šjudge.šš€€Following€the€proposed€new€definition€ofŠ  ,\'/ Šš šjudicial€appointeešš€is€a€cross€reference€to€Rule€16„816€a,€whereŠ ā,2(0 Šthere€is€a€definition€of€judicial€appointee€for€purposes€ofŠ ø-)1 Šfiling€a€financial€disclosure€statement.Š Ž.Ž)2 Š‡ņņCanon€1óóŠ ° ŠĢą  ąProposed€Canon€1€retains€the€current€reference€to€š šjudicialŠ \¬ Šsystemšš€but€otherwise€tracks€the€parallel€Canon€1€proposed€forŠ 2‚ Šthe€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct.Š X ŠĢĢņņCanon€2óóŠ Š Ś ŠĢą  ąProposed€Canon€2€retains€the€current€reference€toŠ 6 †  Šš šposition,šš€in€some€instances€substituting€it€for€š šappointment,šš€Š  \  Šand€the€current€references€to€š šjudicial€systemšš€and€š šofficialššŠ ā 2  Šconduct€and€responsibilities€but€generally€tracks€the€parallelŠ ø  ŠCanon€2€proposed€for€the€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct,€except€that€inŠ ŽŽ  Šthe€Comment€to€proposed€Canon€2B,€the€sentence€on€initiatingŠ d“  Šcommunications€with€a€sentencing€judge€or€corrections€orŠ :Š  Šprobation€officer€is€omitted.Š `  ŠĢĢņņCanon€3óóŠ ’ā ŠĢą  ąProposed€Canon€3€tracks€the€parallel€Canon€3€proposed€forŠ >Ž Šthe€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€except€as€to€retention€ofŠ d Šš šposition,šš€š šjudicial€system,šš€and€recusal€of€a€part„timeŠ ź: Šjudicial€appointee,€and€the€omission€of€š šjurorsšš€and€š šcourtŠ Ą Šofficialsšš€in€proposed€Canon€3B€(5),€communication€with€a€juryŠ –ę Š(proposed€Canon€3B€(10)),€and€supervisory€authority€as€toŠ l¼ Šjudicial€performance€(proposed€Canon€3C€(3)).€€In€proposed€CanonŠ B’ Š3B€and€C,€references€to€individuals€who€are€subject€to€theŠ h Šjudicial€appointeeššs€direction€and€control€use€the€phraseŠ ī> Šš špersonnel€subject€to€...šš€or€š šcourt€personnel€and€others€subjectŠ Ä Što€...,šš€as€appropriate.Š šź ŠĢą  ąA€non„substantive€area€of€disagreement€between€the€JudicialŠ F –! ŠEthics€Committee€and€the€Rules€Committee€involves€the€tagline€forŠ !l" ŠCanon€3B.€€The€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€favors€retaining€theŠ ņ!B# Šphrase€š šAdjudicative€Responsibilities,šš€which€is€usedŠ Č"$ Šsubstantively€in€proposed€Canon€3B€(6)(f),€while€the€RulesŠ ž#ī% ŠCommittee€suggests€that€the€phrase€š šResponsibilities€for€theŠ t$Ä& ŠConduct€of€Proceedingsšš€is€more€appropriate.Š J%š ' ŠĢą  ąIn€the€Comment€to€proposed€Canon€3B€(6),€references€in€theŠ ö&F") Šproposed€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€to€requesting€a€brief€ņņamicusŠ Ģ'#* Šcuriaeóó€and€to€communications€with€appellate€courts€are€omitted.Š Ø(ų#+ ŠĢĢņņCanon€4óóŠ 0+€&. ŠĢą  ąIn€proposed€Canon€4,€š šextra„officialšš€and€š špositionšš€areŠ Ü,,(0 Šretained.Š ²-)1 ŠŠ ˆ.Ų)2 Šą  ąThe€Comments€to€proposed€Canon€4C€and€D€(5)€in€the€Code€ofŠ ° ŠJudicial€Conduct€are€omitted.Š †Ö ŠĢą  ąIn€proposed€Canon€4D€(1)(b),€š šthe€appointing€court€inŠ 2‚ Šmatters€relating€to€the€judicial€appointeeššs€duties€andŠ X Šauthorityšš€is€retained.€€The€exception€for€acceptance€of€campaignŠ Ž. Šcontributions€by€a€judge€(proposed€Canon€4D€(4)(a)€of€the€Code€ofŠ “  ŠJudicial€Conduct)€is€omitted.ą Ą ąŠ Š Ś ŠĢą  ąThe€paragraph€in€the€Comment€to€proposed€Canon€4D€as€toŠ 6 †  Šinapplicability€to€part„time€judicial€appointees€is€retained€fromŠ  \  Šthe€current€Code.Š ā 2  ŠĢą  ąProposed€Canon€4E€(Fiduciary€Activities)€does€not€trackŠ ŽŽ  Šproposed€Canon€4F€of€the€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct,€because€theŠ d“  Šprovisions€in€the€current€Codes€are€not€parallel€and€theŠ :Š  Šstatutory€limitations€are€applicable€only€to€judges€(and€toŠ `  Šclerks€and€registers).Š ę6 ŠĢą  ąThe€proposed€Comment€to€Canon€4F€retains€the€reference€toŠ ’ā Šš šapplying€methods€of€alternative€dispute€resolution€that€areŠ hø Šincluded€in€the€judicial€appointeeššs€official€duties,šš€which€doesŠ >Ž Šnot€appear€in€the€parallel€provision€of€the€Code€of€JudicialŠ d ŠConduct.Š ź: ŠĢą  ąProposed€Canon€4G€(2)€substitutes€the€phrase€š š[t]o€theŠ –ę Šextent€not€expressly€prohibited€by€law€or€the€appointingŠ l¼ Šauthority€and€subject€to€other€applicable€provisions€of€thisŠ B’ ŠCodešš€for€the€limiting€reference€to€š šthe€extent€permitted€by€...Š h Šthe€appointing€authorityšš€in€the€current€Code€of€Conduct€forŠ ī> ŠJudicial€Appointees.€€The€parallel€Canon€4G€(2)(a)€of€theŠ Ä Šproposed€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€refers€š š[t]o€the€extentŠ šź Šexpressly€allowed€by€law€and€subject€to€other€applicableŠ pĄ  Šprovisions€of€this€Code.ššŠ F –! ŠĢą  ąThe€word€š šshouldšš€is€retained€in€proposed€Canon€4G€(5).€€TheŠ ņ!B# Šstatutory€provision€governing€judges€allows,€rather€thanŠ Č"$ Šrequires,€an€agreement€with€a€former€law€firm€š!š€althoughŠ ž#ī% Šmandating€recusal.€€The€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€has€proposed,Š t$Ä& Šas€described€above,€deletion€of€the€comparable€provisions€of€theŠ J%š ' Šcurrent€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€for€review€of€such€agreements€Š  &p!( Š(Canon€4I€(b)€(2)„(4)€of€Maryland€Code€(1987)).Š ö&F") ŠĢĢņņCanon€5óóŠ x)Č$, ŠĢą  ąIn€proposed€Canon€5B€(1)(d),€the€reference€to€š šofficeššŠ $+t&. Štracks€the€parallel€Canon€proposed€in€the€Code€of€JudicialŠ ś+J'/ ŠConduct,€rather€than€using€š špositionšš€as€elsewhere€in€the€Code€ofŠ Š, (0 ŠConduct€for€Judicial€Appointees.€€This€usage€reflects€that€theŠ ¦-ö(1 Šš šofficešš€is€the€judicial€office€for€which€the€judicial€appointeeŠ |.Ģ)2 Šis€campaigning.Š ° ŠĢą  ąProposed€Canon€5D€duplicates€proposed€Code€of€JudicialŠ \¬ ŠConduct€Canon€5D,€which€applies€to€lawyer„candidates,€but€thereŠ 2‚ Šis€a€gap,€however,€with€respect€to,€ņņe.g.,óó€a€District€CourtŠ X Šcommissioner€running€for€Orphansšš€Court€judge.€€Accordingly,€the€Š ä4 ŠĢprovision€(other€than€the€reference€to€incumbent€judges)€isŠ  ą Šrepeated€here€for€completeness.Š f ¶ ŠĢĢņņCanon€6óóŠ č 8  ŠĢą  ąIn€proposed€Canon€6,€the€current€reference€to€grounds€forŠ ”ä  Šdisciplinary€action€is€retained,€since€the€current€referenceŠ jŗ  Šdiffers€from€the€comparable,€current€provision€in€the€Code€ofŠ @  ŠJudicial€Conduct.Š f  ŠĢĢņņņņRule€16„816.€Financial€Disclosure€Statement€š!š€Judicial€AppointeesóóóóŠ ˜č ŠĢą  ąThe€proposed€amendments€to€Rule€16„816€require€that€allŠ Jš Šmasters€and€District€Court€commissioners€š!š€whether€full„€or€part„Š  p Štime€„€file€financial€disclosure€statements.€€Currently,€a€part„Š öF Štime€master€or€commissioner€is€required€to€file€only€if€he€or€sheŠ Ģ Šmeets€the€earnings€requirements€set€forth€in€section€a€of€theŠ ¢ņ ŠRule.Š xČ ŠĢą  ąCode,€State€Government€Article,€šš15„610€(a)€requires€theŠ $t ŠCourt€of€Appeals€to€adopt€rules€that€require€the€individualsŠ śJ Šlisted€in€šš15„601€(b)€to€file€a€financial€disclosure€statement.€Š Š  ŠBecause€the€latter€Code€section€states€that€judicial€appointeesŠ ¦ö Šare€defined€in€Rule€16„814,€a€cross€reference€to€Rule€16„816€a€isŠ |Ģ  Šproposed€to€be€added€following€the€definition€of€judicialŠ R ¢! Šappointee€in€the€Terminology€section€of€Rule€16„814.Š (!x" ŠĢą  ąIn€addition,€a€cross€reference€to€the€Terminology€section€ofŠ Ō"$$ ŠRule€16„814€is€proposed€to€be€added€following€section€a€of€RuleŠ Ŗ#ś% Š16„816.Š €$Š& ŠĢĢĢą@44ģąņņņņMaryland€[Lawyersšš]€Rules€of€Professional€Conduct,ˆŠ Ų'(#* Šą@44ģąRule€3.5,€Impartiality€and€Decorum€of€the€TribunalóóóóˆŠ “($+ ŠĢĢą  ąRule€3.5€of€the€Maryland€[Lawyersšš]€Rules€of€ProfessionalŠ <+Œ&. ŠConduct€is€proposed€to€be€amended€to€prohibit€a€lawyer€fromŠ ,b'/ Šdiscussing€potential€employment€of€a€judge€before€whom€the€lawyerŠ č,8(0 Šor€the€lawyerššs€firm€has€a€pending€matter.€€The€amendment€isŠ ¾-)1 Šproposed€in€conjunction€with€proposed€changes€to€Canon€2B€of€theŠ ”.ä)2 ŠCode€of€Judicial€Conduct€and€the€Code€of€Conduct€for€JudicialŠ ° ŠAppointees€that€require€judges€and€judicial€appointees€not€toŠ †Ö Šallow€their€conduct€to€be€improperly€influenced€or€appear€to€beŠ \¬ Šimproperly€influenced€by€employment€offers€or€opportunities.Š 2‚ ŠĢĢĢĢą@44ģąņņņņMaryland€[Lawyersšš]€Rules€of€Professional€Conduct,óóóóˆŠ ` ° Šą@  ģąņņņņRule€8.2,€Judicial€and€Legal€OfficialsóóóóˆŠ < Œ  ŠĢą  ąThe€proposed€amendments€to€Rule€8.2€conform€section€(b)€toŠ ī >  Šthe€applicable€standards€pertaining€to€candidates€for€judicialŠ Ä  Šoffice€set€forth€in€proposed€revised€Canon€5B€of€the€MarylandŠ šź  ŠCode€of€Judicial€Conduct.€€The€Rules€Committee€believes€that€theŠ pĄ  Šprohibitions€set€forth€as€Canon€5B€(1)(b)€and€(1)(c)€may€not€beŠ F–  Šconstitutional€as€applied€to€lawyers€who€are€not€judges.€Š l  ŠTherefore,€these€prohibitions€have€not€been€included€in€Rule€8.2.Š ņB ŠĢĢą  ąThe€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€and€the€Rules€CommitteeŠ tÄ Šexpress€their€gratitude€for€the€invaluable€assistance€of€the€Hon.Š Jš ŠSally€D.€Adkins€and€M.€Peter€Moser,€Esq.,€in€revising€Rule€16„Š  p Š813,€Maryland€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct.Š öF ŠĢą  ąBecause€of€the€extensive€proposed€revisions€to€them,€RulesŠ ¢ņ Š16„813€and€16„814€are€presented€as€new€Rules,€recommended€to€beŠ xČ Šadopted€contemporaneously€with€the€rescission€of€the€currentŠ Nž ŠRules.€€For€the€Courtššs€reference,€included€as€an€Appendix€toŠ $t Šthis€Report€and€proposed€rules€changes€are€marked€copies€ofŠ śJ Šcurrent€Rules€16„813€and€16„814,€shown€with€the€amendments€thatŠ Š  Šwould€be€required€in€order€to€change€them€to€the€proposed€revisedŠ ¦ö ŠRules.Š |Ģ  ŠĢą  ąFor€the€guidance€of€the€Court€and€the€public,€following€eachŠ (!x" Šproposed€rule€change,€except€proposed€new€Rule€16„813€for€which€aŠ ž!N# Šdetailed€Source€note€is€provided,€is€a€Reporterššs€Note€describingŠ Ō"$$ Šthe€reasons€for€the€proposal€and€any€changes€that€would€beŠ Ŗ#ś% Šeffected€in€current€law€or€practice.€€ņņWe€caution€that€theseŠ €$Š& ŠReporterššs€Notes€were€prepared€initially€for€the€benefit€of€theŠ V%¦ ' ŠRules€Committee;€they€are€not€part€of€the€Rules€and€have€not€beenŠ ,&|!( Šdebated€or€approved€by€the€Committee;€and€they€are€not€to€beŠ 'R") Šregarded€as€any€kind€of€official€comment€or€interpretation.óó€€TheyŠ Ų'(#* Šare€included€solely€to€assist€the€Court€in€understanding€some€ofŠ ®(ž#+ Šthe€reasons€for€the€proposed€changes.Š „)Ō$, ŠĢĢĢŠ  Ü,,(0 Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąRespectfully€submitted,Š ° ŠĢĢĢĢĢą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąCharlotte€M.€CookseyŠ “  ŠŅ9°Ņą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąChairperson,€Judicial€Ethics€CommitteeŠ Š Ś ŠĢĢĢĢŅ°9ŅĢą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąJoseph€F.€Murphy,€Jr.Š ŽŽ  Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąChairperson,€Rules€CommitteeŠ d“  ŠĢĢĢĢĢą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąLinda€M.€SchuettŠ hø Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąVice€Chairperson,€Rules€CommitteeŠ >Ž ŠĢCMC/JFM/LMS:cdcŠ ź: ŠĢĢņņņņņ ņ1óóóóó ó/€Md.€Constitution,€Article€IV,€šš4A€provides,€in€pertinent€part,Š l¼ Š€€as€follows:Š B’ ŠĢą  ą€€(d)€The€term€of€office€of€each€member€[of€the€Š ī> Š€€€€€Commission€on€Judicial€Disabilities]€is€four€yearsŠ Ä Šą  ącommencing€on€January€1€following€the€expiration€ofŠ šź Šą  ąthe€memberššs€predecessorššs€term.€€A€member€may€notŠ pĄ  Šą  ąserve€more€than€two€four„year€terms,€or€for€more€thanŠ F –! Šą  ąa€total€of€ten€years€if€appointed€to€fill€a€vacancy.Š !l" ŠĢĢņņņņņ ņ2óóóóó ó/€Code,€State€Government€Article,€šš15„102€(11)€definesŠ ž#ī% Š€€€š šState€officialšš€as:Š t$Ä& ŠĢą  ąą ` ą(1)ą0 ø ąa€constitutional€officer€or€officer„elect€in€anŠ  &p!( Šexecutive€unit;Šö&F")ø (#ø (# Šą8  ąą ` ą(2)ą0ø Š Š ąa€member€or€member„elect€of€the€GeneralŠ Ģ'#* ŠAssembly;Š¢(ņ#+ø Š ø Š  Šą8  ąą0` Š Š ąą0ø ` Š ` Š ąą ` ą(3)ą ø ąa€judge€or€judge„elect€of€a€court€underŠ x)Č$, ŠArticle€IV,€šš1€of€the€Constitution;ŠN*ž%-ø Š ø Š  Šą8  ąą ` ą(4)ą ø ąa€judicial€appointee€as€defined€in€MarylandŠ$+t&.Š Š  Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąRule€16„814;Š ś+J'/ Šą8  ąą ` ą(5)ą ø ąa€Stateššs€Attorney;ŠŠ, (0Š Š  Šą8  ąą ` ą(6)ą ø ąa€clerk€of€the€circuit€court;Š¦-ö(1Š Š  ŠŠ  |.Ģ)2 Šą8  ąą ` ą(7)ą ø ąa€register€of€wills;€orŠ°Š Š  Šą8  ąą ` ą(8)ą ø ąa€sheriff.Š†ÖŠ Š  ŠĢņņņņņ ņĢĢ3óóóóó ó/€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Judicial€Ethics€CommitteeŠ >Ž Š€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Request€for€OpinionŠ  d Šą  ą........................................................Š ź : Š€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€To€be€completed€by€RequesterŠ Ą  ŠĢą  ąName€of€Requester:€.....................................Š l ¼  Šą@ģģ*ģąˆĢą  ąDate€of€Request:€.......................................Š h  ŠĢą  ąDeadline€for€Response:€.................................Š Ä  ŠĢą  ą€€I€understand€that€an€opinion€or€letter€of€advice,€if€any,Š pĄ  Š€€€€€issued€in€response€to€this€request€has€no€retroactive€Š F–  Šą  ąeffect€and,€as€to€future€conduct,€obviates€a€violation€ofŠ l Šą  ąapplicable€law€only€to€the€extent€that€I€am€in€complianceŠ ņB Šą  ąwith€the€opinion€or€letter€of€advice.€€The€Judicial€EthicsŠ Č Šą  ąCommittee€can€best€respond€if€I€provide€full€information€Š žī Šą  ąin€connection€with€the€conduct€to€which€the€requestŠ tÄ Šą  ąpertains.Š Jš ŠĢą  ą€€To€the€best€of€my€knowledge,€the€conduct€to€which€theŠ öF Šą  ąrequest€pertains€is€not€the€subject€of€a€pending€orŠ Ģ Šą  ąimpending€investigation€or€other€action€of€the€Commission€Š ¢ņ Šą  ąon€Judicial€Disabilities€or€of€a€court.Š xČ ŠĢą  ąSignature€of€Requester:€...............................Š $t ŠĢĢņņņņņ ņĢ4ó óóóóó/ą0  ą2003€Report€of€the€American€Bar€Association€StandingŠ , |" ŠCommittee€on€Judicial€Independence€and€the€StandingŠ !R# ŠCommittee€on€Ethics€and€Professional€Responsibility,€at€13.ŠŲ!($(#(# ŠŠ  ®"ž% Šą@˜ ˜ ģąMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆŠ ° ŠĢą@Œ Œ ģąTITLE€16€„€COURTS,€JUDGES,€AND€ATTORNEYSˆŠ \¬ ŠĢą@˜ ˜ ģąCHAPTER€800€„€MISCELLANEOUSˆŠ X ŠĢĢą  ąADD€new€Rule€16„812.1,€as€follows:€Š Š Ś ŠĢĢRule€16„812.1.€€JUDICIAL€ETHICS€COMMITTEEŠ  \  ŠĢĢÓӀ€(a)€€DefinitionsŠ ŽŽ  Šą  ą€€In€this€Rule€the€following€definitions€apply€except€asŠ :Š  Šexpressly€otherwise€provided€or€as€necessary€implicationŠ ę6 Šrequires:Š ’ā Š€€€€(1)€€CommitteeŠ >Ž Šą  ą€€€€š šCommitteešš€means€the€Judicial€Ethics€Committee.Š ź: Š€€€€(2)€€Ethics€ProvisionŠ –ę Šą  ą€€€€š šEthics€provisionšš€means:Š B’ Šą  ą€€(A)€a€provision€of€Code,€State€Government€Article,€TitleŠ ī> Š15,€Subtitle€5€or€6;Š šź Šą  ą€€(B)€as€to€a€judge,€also€a€provision€of€the€Maryland€CodeŠ F –! Šof€Judicial€Conduct;€andŠ ņ!B# Šą  ą€€(C)€as€to€a€judicial€appointee€as€defined€in€Rule€16„814,Š ž#ī% Šalso€a€provision€of€the€Maryland€Code€of€Conduct€for€JudicialŠ J%š ' ŠAppointees.Š ö&F") Š€€€€(3)€€State€Official€in€Judicial€BranchŠ ¢(ņ#+ Šą  ą€€€€š šState€official€in€the€Judicial€Branchšš€means€anŠ N*ž%- Šindividual€who€is€in€the€Judicial€Branch€and€is€a€State€official,Š ś+J'/ Šas€defined€in€Code,€State€Government€Article,€šš15„102.Š ¦-ö(1 Š€€(b)€€CreationŠ ° Šą  ą€€There€is€a€Judicial€Ethics€Committee.Š \¬ Š€€(c)€€CompositionŠ X Šą  ą€€The€Committee€consists€of€nine€members€appointed€by€theŠ “  ŠChief€Judge€of€the€Court€of€Appeals.€€Of€the€nine€members:€Š ` ° Š€€€€(1)€one€shall€be€a€judge€of€the€Court€of€Special€Appeals;€Š  \  Š€€€€(2)€one€shall€be€a€judge€of€a€circuit€court;Š ø  Š€€€€(3)€one€shall€be€a€judge€of€the€District€Court;€Š d“  Š€€€€(4)€three€shall€be€judges€of€the€Court€of€Special€Appeals,€aŠ `  Šcircuit€court,€the€District€Court,€or€an€orphansšš€court;Š ¼  Š€€€€(5)€one€shall€not€be€a€judge€or€other€officer€or€employee€ofŠ hø Šthe€Judicial€Branch€of€the€State€government€Ō‡XąXXXąŌor€a€lawyerŌ#†XąXXXąśŚ#Ō;€andŠ d Š€€€€(6)€two€shall€not€be€judges.€Š Ą Š€€(d)€€TermŠ l¼ Š€€€€(1)€€The€term€of€a€member€is€three€years€and€begins€on€JulyŠ h Š1.Š Ä Š€€€€(2)€€The€terms€of€the€members€shall€be€staggered€so€that€theŠ pĄ  Šterms€of€three€members€expire€each€year.Š !l" Š€€€€(3)€€At€the€end€of€a€term,€a€member€continues€to€serve€untilŠ Č"$ Ša€successor€is€appointed.Š t$Ä& Š€€€€(4)€€A€member€who€is€appointed€after€a€term€has€begun€servesŠ  &p!( Šonly€for€the€rest€of€the€term€and€until€a€successor€is€appointed.Š Ģ'#* Š€€€€(5)€€A€member€appointed€on€or€after€July€1,€2005,€may€notŠ x)Č$, Šserve€more€than€two€consecutive€three„year€terms.ą  ąŠ $+t&. ŠŠ  Š, (0 Š€€(e)€€Chair€and€Vice€ChairŠ ° Šą  ą€€The€Chief€Judge€of€the€Court€of€Appeals€shall€designateŠ \¬ Šone€judicial€member€as€the€Chair€of€the€Committee€and€oneŠ X Šjudicial€member€as€the€Vice€Chair.€€In€the€absence€or€disabilityŠ “  Šof€the€Chair€or€upon€an€express€delegation€of€authority€by€theŠ ` ° ŠChair,€the€Vice€Chair€shall€have€the€authority€and€perform€theŠ  \  Šduties€of€the€Chair.Š ø  Š€€(f)€€Meetings€Š d“  Šą  ą€€The€Committee€shall€meet€at€the€times€and€places€that€theŠ `  ŠChair€directs.Š ¼  Š€€(g)€€QuorumŠ hø Šą  ą€€The€presence€of€a€majority€of€the€members€then€servingŠ d Šconstitutes€a€quorum€for€the€transaction€of€all€business€otherŠ Ą Šthan€adjournment€of€a€meeting€for€lack€of€a€quorum.Š l¼ Š€€(h)€€Committee€StaffŠ h Šą  ą€€The€Committee€shall€have€staff€as€the€State€CourtŠ Ä ŠAdministrator€directs.Š pĄ  Š€€(i)€€Duties€€Š !l" Šą  ą€€In€addition€to€its€other€duties€imposed€by€law,€theŠ Č"$ ŠCommittee:€€Š t$Ä& Š€€€€(1)€shall€give€advice,€as€provided€in€this€Rule,€with€respectŠ  &p!( Što€the€application€or€interpretation€of€the€Maryland€Code€ofŠ Ģ'#* ŠJudicial€Conduct€and€the€Maryland€Code€of€Conduct€for€JudicialŠ x)Č$, ŠAppointees;Š $+t&. Š€€€€(2)€is€designated€as€the€body€to€give€advice€with€respect€to€Š  Š, (0 Šthe€application€or€interpretation€of€any€provision€of€Code,€StateŠ ° ŠGovernment€Article,€Title€15,€Subtitles€5€and€6,€to€a€StateŠ \¬ Šofficial€in€the€Judicial€Branch;Š X Š€€€€(3)€shall€review€timely€appeals€from€the€State€CourtŠ “  ŠAdministratorššs€decision€not€to€extend,€under€Rule€16„815€or€Š ` ° Š16„816,€the€period€for€filing€a€financial€disclosure€statement;Š  \  Š€€€€(4)€shall€determine,€under€Rule€16„815€f€or€Rule€16„816€g,Š ø  Šwhether€to€allow€a€judge€or€judicial€appointee€to€correct€aŠ d“  Šdeficiency€as€to€a€financial€disclosure€statement€or€to€refer€theŠ `  Šmatter,€as€to€a€judge,€to€the€Commission€on€Judicial€DisabilitiesŠ ¼  Šor,€as€to€a€judicial€appointee,€to€the€State€Ethics€Commission;Š hø ŠandŠ d Š€€€€(5)€shall€submit€to€the€Court€of€Appeals€recommendations€forŠ Ą Šnecessary€or€desirable€changes€in€any€ethics€provision.€€Š l¼ Š€€(j)€€Opinions€and€Letters€of€AdviceŠ h Š€€€€(1)€€RequesterŠ Ä Šą  ą€€€€A€request€for€the€opinion€of€the€Committee€may€be€madeŠ pĄ  Šonly€by:Š !l" Š€€€€€€(A)€a€State€official€in€the€Judicial€Branch,€as€to€theŠ Č"$ Šproper€application€of€an€ethics€provision€to€that€State€official;Š t$Ä& ŠorŠ  &p!( Šą  ą€(B)€the€Chief€Judge€of€the€Court€of€Appeals,€as€to€theŠ Ģ'#* Šproper€interpretation€of€an€ethics€provision.Š x)Č$, Š€€€€(2)€€Form€of€Request€Š $+t&. Šą  ą€€€€Each€request€for€an€opinion€of€the€Committee€shall:Š Š, (0 ŠŠ  |.Ģ)2 Š€€€€€€(A)€be€in€writing;Š ° Šą  ą€(B)€describe€the€act€or€activity€about€which€the€opinion€isŠ \¬ Šrequested;Š X Šą  ą€(C)€include€all€documentation€or€other€informationŠ “  Šnecessary€for€the€Committee€to€perform€its€function,€which€mayŠ ` ° Šinclude€citation€to€rules,€statutes,€and€published€opinions€ofŠ  \  Šthe€Committee€that€the€requester€believes€to€be€relevant€to€theŠ ø  Šrequest;€andŠ d“  Š€€€€€€(D)€include€an€address€to€which€the€Committee€shall€directŠ `  Šcorrespondence.Š ¼  Š€€€€(3)€€OpinionŠ hø Šą  ą€€€€The€Committee€may€render€an€opinion,€in€writing,€withŠ d Šregard€to€any€request€made€under€this€Rule€and€shall€decideŠ Ą Šwhether€an€opinion€is€to€be€published€or€unpublished.€€The€ChairŠ l¼ Šshall€cause€to€be€prepared€an€edited€version€of€each€opinionŠ h Šdesignated€to€be€published,€in€which€the€identity€and€specificŠ Ä Šcourt€or€geographical€location€of€the€requester€and€the€identityŠ pĄ  Šof€other€persons€mentioned€in€the€opinion€shall€not€be€Ō‡XąXXXąŌdisclosedŌ#†XąXXXąęš#ŌŠ !l" Šand€shall€have€the€opinion€published€in€the€manner€that€the€StateŠ Č"$ ŠCourt€Administrator€deems€proper.€€€Š t$Ä& Š€€€€(4)€€Letter€of€AdviceŠ  &p!( Šą  ą€€€€If€the€Chair€decides€that€the€full€Committee€cannotŠ Ģ'#* Šprovide€a€timely€written€opinion€or€that€prior€opinions€of€theŠ x)Č$, ŠCommittee€render€full€Committee€review€unnecessary,€a€panel€ofŠ $+t&. Šnot€less€than€three€members€appointed€by€the€Chair€may€issue€a€Š  Š, (0 Šwritten€letter€of€advice,€which€shall€not€be€published€and€shallŠ ° Šhave€no€precedential€effect.€Š \¬ Š€€€€(5)€€Protection€from€a€Charge€of€ViolationŠ X Šą  ą€€€€A€State€official€in€the€Judicial€Branch€who€requests€anŠ “  Šopinion€as€to€application€of€an€ethics€provision€and€is€inŠ ` ° Šcompliance€with€an€opinion€of,€or€letter€of€advice€issued€for,Š  \  Šthe€Committee€is€protected€from€a€charge€of€violation€of€thatŠ ø  Šethics€provision.Š d“  ŠÓÓCommittee€note:€€The€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€noted€that,€givenŠ `  Šthe€binding€effect€of€opinions,€they€generally€should€be€issuedŠ ę6 Šonly€to€a€State€official€in€the€Judicial€Branch€requesting€adviceŠ ¼  Šas€to€the€officialššs€own€conduct.€€This€practice€would€avoidŠ ’ā Šcomment€either€on€hypothetical€conduct€or€conduct€incompletely€orŠ hø Šinaccurately€described.€€However,€there€may€be€instances,€such€asŠ >Ž Šthose€in€which€an€opinion€would€affect€numerous€State€officialsŠ d Šin€the€Judicial€Branch€or€the€implementation€of€administrativeŠ ź: Šduties,€that€make€it€appropriate€to€have€a€mechanism€forŠ Ą Šrequesting€an€interpretation€of€an€ethics€provision€but€not€anŠ –ę Šopinion€as€to€its€application.€€Therefore,€language€in€formerŠ l¼ ŠMaryland€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€(1987),€Canon€7€suggesting€thatŠ B’ Špersons€other€than€a€State€official€in€the€Judicial€Branch€couldŠ h Šrequest€an€opinion€has€been€omitted,€but€a€provision€for€theŠ ī> ŠChief€Judge€of€the€Court€of€Appeals€to€request€guidance€onŠ Ä Šinterpretation€has€been€added.€€The€addition€is€patterned€on€theŠ šź Špractice€for€requesting€an€opinion€from€the€Attorney€General.Š pĄ  ŠĢÓӀ€€€(6)€€Filing;€ConfidentialityŠ !l" Šą  ą€€€€The€Chair€shall€file€with€the€State€Court€AdministratorŠ Č"$ Ševery€opinion€of,€and€letter€of€advice€issued€for,€the€Committee.€Š t$Ä& ŠA€request€and€the€letter€of€advice€or€the€opinion,€other€than€theŠ  &p!( Šedited€version€designated€to€be€published,€filed€in€response€areŠ Ģ'#* Šconfidential€and,€unless€otherwise€directed€by€the€Court€ofŠ x)Č$, ŠAppeals€or€required€by€law,€are€not€public€information.€€Š $+t&. ŠÓÓŠ  Š, (0 ŠCross€reference:€€See€Rule€16-813€(Maryland€Code€of€JudicialŠ ° ŠConduct)€and€Rule€16„814€(Maryland€Code€of€Conduct€for€JudicialŠ †Ö ŠAppointees).€€Š \¬ ŠĢSource:€€This€Rule€is€derived€from€former€Maryland€Code€ofŠ X ŠJudicial€Conduct€(1987),€Canon€7,€as€it€was€set€forth€in€formerŠ Ž. ŠRule€1231€(renumbered€Rule€16„813€by€Rules€Order€dated€JanuaryŠ “  Š18,€1996,€effective€July€1,€1996).Š Š Ś ŠĢĢą@hh#ģąņņREPORTERššS€NOTEóóˆŠ  \  ŠĢą  ąThe€Judicial€Ethics€and€the€Rules€Committee€propose€thatŠ ø  ŠCanon€7€of€the€current€Maryland€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€(1987),Š ŽŽ  Šbe€changed€organizationally,€by€setting€it€forth€as€a€ruleŠ d“  Šseparate€from€the€Ō‡XąXXXąŌMarylandŌ#†XąXXXąä#Ō€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct,€andŠ :Š  Šsubstantively,€by€supplementing€the€provisions€on€appointment,Š `  Šterm€of€membership,€Ō‡XąXXXąŌofficers,Ō#†XąXXXąČ#Ō€meetings,€quorum,€staff,€form€ofŠ ę6 Šrequests,€identity€of€requesters,€form€and€effect€of€responses€byŠ ¼  Šor€for€the€Judicial€Ethics€Committee,€and€publication€ofŠ ’ā Šopinions.€€Š hø ŠĢą  ąThe€Committees€have€included€in€the€list€of€responsibilitiesŠ d Šreference€to€duties€stated€in€other€Maryland€law.€€The€duty€toŠ ź: Šreview€termination€agreements€with€law€firms,€stated€in€MarylandŠ Ą ŠCode€of€Judicial€Conduct€(1987),€Canon€4I€(2)€through€(4),€isŠ –ę Šomitted€in€light€of€the€proposed€deletion€of€those€provisions.Š l¼ ŠĢĢŠ  ī> Šą@˜ ˜ ģąMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆŠ ° ŠĢą@Œ Œ ģąTITLE€16€„€COURTS,€JUDGES,€AND€ATTORNEYSˆŠ \¬ ŠĢą@˜ ˜ ģąCHAPTER€800€„€MISCELLANEOUSˆŠ X ŠĢĢą  ąADD€new€Rule€16„813,€as€follows:Š Š Ś ŠĢĢRule€16-813.€€MARYLAND€CODE€OF€JUDICIAL€CONDUCT€Š  \  ŠĢĢą@  &ģąPreambleˆŠ ŽŽ  ŠĢĢÓÓą  ąIt€is€fundamental€to€our€legal€system€that€our€laws€beŠ `  Šinterpreted€by€a€competent,€fair,€honorable,€and€independent€Š ¼  Šjudiciary.€€Such€a€judiciary€is€essential€to€the€American€conceptŠ hø Šof€justice.€€Intrinsic€to€all€sections€of€this€Code€are€theŠ d Šprecepts€that,€individually€and€collectively,€judges€must€honorŠ Ą Šand€respect€the€judicial€office€as€a€public€trust€and€strive€toŠ l¼ Šenhance€and€maintain€public€confidence€in€our€legal€system.€€AŠ h Šjudge,€as€arbiter€of€facts€and€law€for€the€resolution€ofŠ Ä Šdisputes,€is€a€highly€visible€symbol€of€government€under€the€ruleŠ pĄ  Šof€law.Š !l" Šą  ąThis€Code€sets€forth€basic€standards€for€the€conduct€of€allŠ Č"$ Šjudges€and€provides€guidance€in€establishing€and€maintaining€highŠ t$Ä& Šstandards€of€judicial€and€personal€conduct.šŠ  &p!( Šą  ąThis€Code€consists€of€a€Terminology€section,€Canons,€whichŠ Ģ'#* Šset€forth€specific€rules€of€conduct,€and€Comments,€which€provideŠ x)Č$, Šguidance€on€the€purpose€and€meaning€of€the€Canons€but€are€notŠ $+t&. Šintended€as€statements€of€additional€rules.Š Š, (0 Šą  ąWhen€š šshallšš€or€š šshall€notšš€is€used€in€the€text€of€a€Canon,Š |.Ģ)2 Šit€is€intended€to€impose€a€binding€obligation,€the€violation€ofŠ ° Šwhich€can€result€in€disciplinary€action.€€When€š šshouldšš€orŠ \¬ Šš šshould€notšš€is€used,€the€text€is€intended€as€hortatory€and€as€aŠ X Šstatement€of€what€is€or€is€not€appropriate€conduct€but€not€as€aŠ “  Šbinding€obligation€under€which€a€judge€may€be€disciplined.€€WhenŠ ` ° Šš šmayšš€is€used,€it€denotes€permissible€discretion€or,€depending€onŠ  \  Šthe€context,€refers€to€action€that€is€not€covered€by€specificŠ ø  Šprohibitions.Š d“  Šą  ąEven€as€to€binding€obligations,€however,€it€is€not€intendedŠ `  Šthat€every€transgression€result€in€disciplinary€action.€€WhetherŠ ¼  Šdisciplinary€action€is€appropriate,€and€the€degree€of€disciplineŠ hø Što€be€imposed,€should€depend€on€factors€such€as€the€seriousnessŠ d Šof€the€transgression,€whether€the€transgression€is€isolated€orŠ Ą Špart€of€a€pattern€of€improper€activity,€and€the€effect€of€theŠ l¼ Šimproper€activity€on€others€or€on€the€judicial€system.Š h Šą  ąThe€Canons€are€rules€of€reason€that€should€be€applied€in€theŠ Ä Šcontext€of€all€relevant€circumstances€and€in€a€manner€that€isŠ pĄ  Šconsistent€with€constitutional€requirements,€statutes,€otherŠ !l" Šcourt€rules,€and€decisional€law.€€This€Code€should€be€construedŠ Č"$ Šin€a€way€that€neither€infringes€on€the€essential€independence€ofŠ t$Ä& Šjudges€in€making€judicial€decisions€nor€discourages€candidatesŠ  &p!( Šfrom€seeking€judicial€office.Š Ģ'#* Šą  ąThis€Code€includes€a€structure€for€regulating€conductŠ x)Č$, Šthrough€disciplinary€agencies,€when€appropriate.€€It€is€notŠ $+t&. Šintended€to€be€a€basis€for€civil€liability€or€criminal€Š  Š, (0 Šprosecution.€€This€Code€should€not€be€invoked€for€mere€tacticalŠ ° Šadvantage€in€a€proceeding.Š \¬ Šą  ąIn€interpreting€this€Code,€attention€should€be€given€to€theŠ X Šopinions€of€the€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€and,€if€appropriate,Š “  Šthe€Committee€should€be€asked€for€a€written€letter€of€advice€or€aŠ ` ° Šbinding€opinion.Š  \  ŠÓÓCommittee€note:€€This€Code€replaces€the€Maryland€Code€of€JudicialŠ ø  ŠConduct€originally€adopted€by€Rules€Order€dated€November€21,Š ŽŽ  Š1986,€effective€July€1,€1987,€as€amended€from€time€to€timeŠ d“  Š(š šMaryland€Code€(1987)šš).€€This€Code€is€derived€from€the€MarylandŠ :Š  ŠCode€(1987)€and€the€Model€Code€of€Judicial€Conduct€adopted€by€theŠ `  ŠAmerican€Bar€Association€in€2000,€with€amendments€in€August€2003.€Š ę6 ŠThe€derivation€of€particular€provisions€of€this€Code€is€describedŠ ¼  Šin€greater€detail€in€the€Source€Note€at€the€end€of€this€Code.Š ’ā ŠĢą  ąThe€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€has€published€opinions€onŠ >Ž Šissues€such€as€a€judge€owning€commercial€real€estate€(permissibleŠ d Šonly€if€no€appearance€of€impropriety€would€result),€accepting€anŠ ź: Šexpense„paid€trip,€and€granting€a€stet€or€probation€conditionedŠ Ą Šon€a€criminal€defendant€making€a€monetary€donation.€€Adminis„Š –ę Štrative€Orders€of€the€Chief€Judge€of€the€Court€of€Appeals€alsoŠ l¼ Šmay€provide€guidance.€€For€example,€as€to€the€anti„nepotismŠ B’ Špolicy€of€the€Judicial€Branch,€see€the€Orders€dated€October€3,Š h Š1996€and€January€31,€1997.Š ī> ŠĢĢŠ  pĄ  Šą@XX%ģąTerminologyˆŠ ° ŠĢą  ąņņTerms€explained€below€are€noted€in€boldface€type€in€theŠ \¬ ŠCanons€and€Comments€where€they€appear.óóŠ 8ˆ ŠĢĢÓÓą  ąIn€this€Code€the€following€definitions€apply€except€asŠ Ą  Šexpressly€otherwise€provided€or€as€necessary€implicationŠ l ¼ Šrequires:Š  h  Š€€(a)€€FiduciaryŠ Ä  Šą  ą€€š šņ ņFiduciaryó 󚚀includes€administrator,€attorney„in„fact€byŠ pĄ  Špower€of€attorney,€executor,€guardian,€personal€representative,Š 8ˆ  Šand€trustee.€Š ä4 ŠÓÓCross€reference:€€See€Canons€3D€(1)€(c)€and€(2)€and€4E.€€For€aŠ ą Šdefinition€of€š šguardian,šš€see€Rule€1„202€(j).Š f¶ ŠĢÓӀ€(b)€€GiftŠ b Šą  ą€€š šņ ņGiftó 󚚀has€the€meaning€stated€in€Code,€State€GovernmentŠ ¾ ŠArticle,€šš15„102.€Š †Ö ŠÓÓCross€reference:€€See€Canon€4D€(5).€€Š 2‚ ŠĢÓӀ€(c)€€HonorariumŠ Ž. Šą  ą€€š šņ ņHonorariumó 󚚀has€the€meaning€stated€in€Code,€StateŠ Š Ś! ŠGovernment€Article,€šš15„102.Š R"¢# Š€€(d)€€Impartial,€Impartiality,€or€ImpartiallyŠ ž#N% Šą  ą€€š šņ ņImpartialó ó,šš€š šņ ņimpartialityó ó,šš€or€š šņ ņimpartiallyó 󚚀denotesŠ Ŗ%ś ' Šabsence€of€bias€or€prejudice€in€favor€of,€or€against,€a€party€orŠ r'Ā") Šclass€of€parties,€as€well€as€maintaining€an€open€mind€inŠ )n$+ Šconsidering€each€issue€that€is€or€may€come€before€the€judge.Š Ź*&- ŠÓÓCross€reference:€€See€Canons€2A;€3A,€B€(9),€and€D€(1);€4A€(1);Š v,Ę'/ Šand€5B€(1)(a)€and€(d).Š L-œ(0 ŠŌ_ŌŠ ".r)1 ŠÓÓą@P P ģąņ ņņņAlternative€A€„€Rules€Committeeššs€Versionóóó óˆŠ ° Š€€ņ ņ(e)€€Knowingly,€Knowledge,€Known,€or€KnowsŠ xČ Šą  ą€€š šKnowingly,šš€š šknowledge,šš€š šknown,šš€or€š šknowsšš€means€actualŠ @ Šknowledge€of€the€fact€in€question.€€Actual€knowledge€may€beŠ  X Šinferred€from€circumstances.€€Š Š  ŠÓÓCross€reference:€€See€Canons€3D€(1)(a),€(c),€and€(d)(iii)€andŠ ˜ č  Š(iv)€and€F€(2)€and€(3)€and€5B€(1)(e).Š |Ģ  ŠĢĢÓÓą@ųųģąņņAlternative€B€„€Judicial€Ethics€Committeeššs€Versionó óóóˆŠ (x  Š€ņ ņ€(e)€€Knowó óŠ š@ Šą  ą€€ņ ņš šKnowšš€means€to€have€actual€knowledge€of€the€fact€inŠ ø Šquestion,€as€may€be€inferred€from€circumstances.Š €Š ŠÓÓCross€reference:€€See€Canons€3D€(1)(a),€(c),€and€(d)(iii)€andŠ H˜ Š(iv)€and€F€(2)€and€(3)€and€5B€(1)(e).ó óŠ ,| ŠĢÓӀ€(f)€€Member€of€Judgeššs€FamilyŠ ę6 Šą  ą€€š šņ ņMember€of€the€judgeššs€familyó 󚚀means€a€spouse,€child,Š ’ā Šgrandchild,€parent,€grandparent,€or€other€relative€or€individualŠ ZŖ Šwith€whom€a€judge€maintains€a€close€familial€relationship.€€Š  V ŠÓÓCross€reference:€€See€Canons€3D€(1)(c)€and€4E€(1)(b)€and€(d)€andŠ ²!! ŠG€(1).Š ˆ"Ų" ŠĢÓӀ€(g)€€Member€of€Judgeššs€HouseholdŠ 4$„$ Šą  ą€€š šņ ņMember€of€the€judgeššs€householdó 󚚀has€the€meaning€statedŠ ą%0!& Šin€Code,€State€Government€Article,€šš15„102€for€š šmember€ofŠ Ø'ų"( Šhousehold.šš€€Š T)¤$* ŠCross€reference:€€See€Canons€3D€(2)€and€4D€(5).Š +P&, Š€€(h)€€Political€OrganizationŠ ¬,ü'. ŠŠ  X.Ø)0 Šą  ą€€š šņ ņPolitical€organizationó 󚚀means€a€political€party€or€otherŠ ° Šgroup,€the€principal€purpose€of€which€is€to€further€the€electionŠ xČ Šor€appointment€of€a€candidate€to€political€office.€€Š $t ŠCross€reference:€€See€Canon€5B€(1)(b)€and€(c).Š Š  Š€€(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)€€RequireŠ | Ģ Šą  ą€€š šņ ņRequire,ó 󚚀in€the€context€that€a€judge€š šņ ņrequireó 󚚀certainŠ ( x  Šconduct€of€others,€means€that€the€judge€is€to€take€reasonableŠ š@  Šsteps€to€direct€and€control€the€conduct€of€those€persons.€€Š œģ  ŠÓÓCross€reference:€€See€Canon€3B€(3),€(5),€(8),€and€(11)€and€C€(2).Š H˜  ŠĢÓӀ€(j)€€Significant€Financial€InterestŠ ōD ŠÓÓĢÓÓą@P P ģąņ ņņņAlternative€A€„€Rules€Committeeššs€Versionóóó óˆŠ vĘ Šņ ņ€€€€(1)€€š šSignificant€financial€interestšš€means€ownership€of:Š >Ž Š€€€€€€(A)€an€interest€as€the€result€of€which€the€owner€hasŠ V Šreceived€within€the€past€three€years,€is€currently€receiving,€orŠ Ī Šin€the€future€is€entitled€to€receive,€more€than€$1,000€per€year;Š –ę Š€€€€€€(B)€more€than€3%€of€a€business€entity;€or€Š ^® Šą  ą€(C)€a€security€of€any€kind€that€represents,€or€isŠ &!v! Šconvertible€into,€more€than€3%€of€a€business€entity.ó óŠ ī"># ŠÓÓĢÓÓą@ųųģąņņņ ņAlternative€B€„€Judicial€Ethics€Committeeššs€Versionó óóóˆŠ Œ%Ü & Šņ ņ€€€€(1)€š šSignificant€financial€interestšš€means:Š T'¤"( Šą  ą€(A)€ownership€of€an€interest€as€the€result€of€which€theŠ )l$* Šowner€has€received€within€the€past€three€years,€is€currentlyŠ ä*4&, Šreceiving,€or€in€the€future€is€entitled€to€receive,€more€than€Š  ¬,ü'. Š$1,000€per€year;€orŠ ° Š€€€€€€(B)€ownership€by€a€judge€or€judgeššs€spouse€of:Š xČ Šą  ą€€€(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)€more€than€3%€of€a€business€entity;€orŠ @ Šą  ą€€€(ii)€a€security€of€any€kind€that€represents,€or€isŠ  X Šconvertible€into,€more€than€3%€of€a€business€entity.ó óŠ Š  ŠÓÓĢÓӀ€€€(2)€In€applying€this€definition:Š n¾  Š€€€€€€(A)€ownership€of€an€interest€in€a€mutual€or€commonŠ j  Šinvestment€fund€that€holds€a€security€is€not€ownership€of€theŠ Ę  Šsecurity€unless:Š rĀ Š€€€€€€€€(Ō_ŌiŌ_Ō)€the€judge€ņ ņ[Alternative€B€„€Add:€š šor€spousešš€here]ó óŠ n Šparticipates€in€the€management€of€the€fund;€orŠ ę6 Š€€€€€€€€(ii)€there€is€before€the€judge€a€proceeding€that€couldŠ ’ā Šsubstantially€affect€the€value€of€the€interest,€or€suchŠ >Ž Šproceeding€is€imminent;Š ź: Š€€€€€€(B)€ownership€of€a€government€security€is€not€a€ņ ņsignificantŠ –ę Šfinancial€interestó ó€in€the€issuer€unless€there€is€before€the€judgeŠ ^® Ša€proceeding€that€could€substantially€affect€the€value€of€theŠ &!v! Šsecurity,€or€such€proceeding€is€imminent;Š Ņ""# Š€€€€€€(C)€neither€a€deposit€in€a€financial€institution€nor€aŠ ~$Ī% Šproprietary€interest€such€as€or€similar€to€that€of€a€depositor€inŠ *&z!' Ša€mutual€savings€association,€member€in€a€credit€union,€or€policyŠ Ö'&#) Šholder€in€a€mutual€insurance€company€is€a€ņ ņsignificant€financialŠ ‚)Ņ$+ Šinterestó ó€in€the€entity€unless€there€is€before€the€judge€aŠ J+š&- Šproceeding€that€could€substantially€affect€the€value€of€theŠ -b(/ Šdeposit€or€interest,€or€such€proceeding€is€imminent;€andŠ ° Š€€€€€€(D)€an€ownership€interest€in€a€security€held€by€aŠ \¬ Šcharitable,€civic,€educational,€fraternal€or€sororal,€orŠ X Šreligious€organization€will€not€be€imputed€to€a€judge€merelyŠ “  Šbecause€the€judge€or€the€judgeššs€child,€parent,€or€spouse€is€anŠ ` ° Šadviser€to€or€director€or€officer€of,€or€otherwise€activelyŠ  \  Šparticipates€in,€the€organization.€€Š ø  ŠCross€reference:€€See€Canon€3D€(1)(c)€and€(d)(iii).Š d“  Š€€(k)€€Third€Degree€of€RelationshipŠ `  Šą  ą€€š šņ ņThird€degree€of€relationshipó 󚚀means€the€relationshipŠ ¼  Šbetween€a€judge€and€the€following€individuals:€a€great„Š „Ō Šgrandparent,€grandparent,€parent,€uncle,€aunt,€brother,€sister,Š 0€ Šchild,€grandchild,€great„grandchild,€nephew,€or€niece.€€Š Ü, ŠCross€reference:€€See€Canon€3D€(1)(d).Š ˆŲ ŠĢĢŠ  ŒÜ  ŠŌ_ŌÓÓą@HH'ģąCANON€1ˆŠ ° ŠĢĢą@Ų Ų ģąIntegrity€and€Independence€of€the€JudiciaryˆŠ 2‚ ŠĢĢĢÓÓą  ąAn€independent€and€honorable€judiciary€is€indispensable€toŠ Š Ś Šjustice€in€our€society.€€A€judge€shall€observe€high€standards€ofŠ 6 †  Šconduct€so€that€the€integrity€and€independence€of€the€judiciaryŠ ā 2  Šwill€be€preserved.€€The€provisions€of€this€Code€are€to€beŠ ŽŽ  Šconstrued€and€applied€to€further€that€objective.Š :Š  ŠÓÓĢ€€ą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ ¼  ŠĢą  ąDeference€to€the€judgments€and€rulings€of€courts€dependsŠ hø Šupon€public€confidence€in€the€integrity€and€independence€ofŠ >Ž Šjudges.€€The€integrity€and€independence€of€judges€depend€in€turnŠ d Šupon€their€acting€without€fear€or€favor.€€A€judiciary€ofŠ ź: Šintegrity€is€one€in€which€judges€are€known€for€their€fairness,Š Ą Šhonesty,€probity,€soundness€of€character,€and€uprightness.€€AnŠ –ę Šindependent€judiciary€is€one€free€of€inappropriate€outsideŠ l¼ Šinfluence.€€Although€judges€should€be€independent,€they€mustŠ B’ Šcomply€with€the€law,€including€the€provisions€of€this€Code.€Š h ŠPublic€confidence€in€the€ņ ņimpartialityó ó€of€the€judiciary€isŠ ī> Šmaintained€by€the€adherence€of€each€judge€to€this€responsibility.€Š Ņ" ŠConversely,€violation€of€this€Code€diminishes€public€confidenceŠ Øų Šin€the€judiciary€and€thereby€does€injury€to€the€system€ofŠ ~Ī  Šgovernment€under€law.Š T ¤! ŠĢĢĢĢŠ  ‚$Ņ& ŠŃČŃą@HH'ģąCANON€2ˆŠ ° ŠĢĢą@TT ģąAvoidance€of€Impropriety€and€the€Appearance€of€ImproprietyˆŠ 2‚ ŠĢĢĢÓÓA.€€A€judge€shall€avoid€impropriety€and€the€appearance€ofŠ Š Ś Šimpropriety.€€A€judge€shall€respect€and€comply€with€the€law€andŠ 6 †  Šshall€act€at€all€times€in€a€manner€that€promotes€publicŠ ā 2  Šconfidence€in€the€ņ ņimpartialityó ó€and€integrity€of€the€judiciary.Š ŽŽ  ŠÓÓĢą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ ,|  ŠĢą  ąPublic€confidence€in€the€judiciary€is€eroded€by€irresponsi„Š Ų( Šble€or€improper€conduct€by€judges.€€A€judge€must€expect€to€be€theŠ ®ž Šsubject€of€constant€public€scrutiny.€€A€judge€must€thereforeŠ „Ō Šaccept€restrictions€on€his€or€her€conduct€that€might€be€viewed€asŠ ZŖ Šburdensome€by€the€ordinary€citizen€and€should€do€so€freely€andŠ 0€ Šwillingly.€€Examples€are€the€restrictions€on€a€judgeššs€speechŠ V Šimposed€by€Canon€3B€(8)€and€(9)€that€are€indispensable€to€theŠ Ü, Šmaintenance€of€the€ņ ņimpartialityó ó,€independence,€and€integrity€ofŠ ² Šthe€judiciary.Š –ę ŠĢą  ąThe€obligation€to€avoid€impropriety€and€the€appearance€ofŠ B’ Šimpropriety€applies€to€both€the€professional€and€personal€conductŠ h Šof€a€judge.€€Because€it€is€not€practicable€to€list€all€prohibitedŠ ī> Šacts,€the€obligation€is€necessarily€cast€in€general€terms€thatŠ Ä Šextend€to€conduct€by€judges€that€is€harmful€although€notŠ šź  Šspecifically€mentioned€in€this€Code.€€Actual€improprieties€underŠ p Ą! Šthis€standard€include€violations€of€law,€other€specificŠ F!–" Šprovisions€of€this€Code,€or€other€court€rules.€€The€test€forŠ "l# Šappearance€of€impropriety€is€whether€the€conduct€would€create€inŠ ņ"B$ Šreasonable€minds€a€perception€that€the€judgeššs€ability€to€carryŠ Č#% Šout€judicial€responsibilities€with€competence,€ņ ņimpartialityó ó,€andŠ ž$ī& Šintegrity€is€impaired.€€See€also€the€Comment€to€Canon€2C.Š ‚%Ņ ' ŠĢĢĢÓÓB.€€A€judge€shall€not€allow€judicial€conduct€to€be€improperlyŠ Ś(*$+ Šinfluenced€or€appear€to€be€improperly€influenced€by€a€family,Š †*Ö%- Špolitical,€social,€or€other€relationship€or€by€an€employment€Š 2,‚'/ ŠŠ Ž-.)1 Šoffer€or€opportunity.€€A€judge€shall€not€lend€or€use€the€prestigeŠ ° Šof€judicial€office€to€advance€the€private€interests€of€the€judgeŠ \¬ Šor€others;€nor€shall€a€judge€convey€or€permit€others€to€conveyŠ X Šthe€impression€that€they€are€in€a€special€position€to€influenceŠ “  Šjudicial€conduct.€€A€judge€shall€not€testify€voluntarily€as€aŠ ` ° Šcharacter€witness.Š  \  Šą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ ø  ŠÓÓą  ąMaintaining€the€prestige€of€judicial€office€is€essential€toŠ d“  Ša€system€of€government€in€which€the€judiciary€functionsŠ :Š  Šindependently€of€the€executive€and€legislative€branches.€€RespectŠ `  Šfor€the€judicial€office€facilitates€the€orderly€conduct€ofŠ ę6 Šlegitimate€judicial€functions.€€Judges€should€distinguish€betweenŠ ¼  Šproper€and€improper€use€of€the€prestige€of€office€in€all€of€theirŠ ’ā Šactivities.€€For€example,€it€would€be€improper€for€a€judge€toŠ hø Šallude€to€his€or€her€judgeship€to€gain€a€personal€advantage,€suchŠ >Ž Šas€deferential€treatment€when€stopped€by€a€police€officer€for€aŠ d Štraffic€offense.€€Similarly,€judicial€letterhead€must€not€be€usedŠ ź: Šfor€conducting€a€judgeššs€personal€business.Š Ą ŠĢą  ąA€judge€also€must€avoid€lending€or€using€the€prestige€ofŠ l¼ Šjudicial€office€for€the€advancement€of€the€private€interests€ofŠ B’ Šothers.€€For€example,€a€judge€must€not€use€the€judgeššs€judicialŠ h Šposition€to€gain€advantage€in€a€civil€suit€involving€a€ņ ņmember€ofŠ ī> Šthe€judgeššs€familyó ó.€€As€to€the€acceptance€of€awards,€see€Canon€4D€Š Ņ" Š(5)(c)€and€the€accompanying€Comment.Š ¶ ŠĢą  ąAlthough€a€judge€should€be€sensitive€to€possible€abuse€ofŠ b ²! Šthe€prestige€of€office,€a€judge€may€serve€as€a€reference€orŠ 8!ˆ" Šprovide€a€letter€of€recommendation€based€on€the€judgeššs€ownŠ "^# Šņ ņknowledgešó ó.€€A€judge€must€not€initiate,€however,€a€personalŠ ä"4$ Šcommunication€of€information€to€a€sentencing€judge€or€a€Š Č#% Šcorrections€or€probation€officer€but€may€provide€to€suchŠ ž$ī& Šofficials€information€for€the€record€in€response€to€a€formalŠ t%Ä ' Šrequest.Š J&š!( ŠĢą  ąJudges€may€participate€in€the€process€of€judicial€selectionŠ ö'F#* Šby€cooperating€with€appointing€authorities€and€screeningŠ Ģ($+ Šcommittees€seeking€names€for€consideration.Š ¢)ņ$, ŠĢą  ąA€judge€must€not€testify€voluntarily€as€a€character€witnessŠ N+ž&. Šbecause€to€do€so€may€lend€the€prestige€of€judicial€office€inŠ $,t'/ Šsupport€of€the€party€for€whom€the€judge€testifies.€€A€judge€may,Š ś,J(0 Šhowever,€testify€when€properly€subpoenaed.€Š Š- )1 Š‡Committee€note:€€The€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€has€held€that€aŠ ° Šjudgeššs€judicial€and€non„judicial€activities€should€not€raiseŠ †Ö Šquestions€as€to€improper€favoritism,€partiality,€or€influence€dueŠ \¬ Što€familial€or€social€connections,€indebtedness€(such€as€mightŠ 2‚ Šarise€through€referral€of€business€to€family€or€friend),Š X Špolitical€en‚dorsement,€accep‚tance€of€gifts,€fund„raising,€orŠ Ž. Šentrepreneurial€activities.Š “  ŠĢĢÓÓC.€€A€judge€shall€not€hold€membership€in€any€organization€thatŠ 6 †  Špractices€invidious€discrimination€on€the€basis€of€nationalŠ ā 2  Šorigin,€race,€religion,€or€sex.€€Š ŽŽ  ŠÓÓą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ :Š  ŠĢ€€€€Membership€of€a€judge€in€an€organization€that€practicesŠ ę6 Šinvidious€discrimination€on€the€basis€of€national€origin,€race,Š ¼  Šreligion,€or€sex€gives€rise€to€perceptions€that€the€judge'sŠ ’ā Šņ ņimpartialityó ó€is€impaired.€€It€is€therefore€inappropriate€for€aŠ hø Šjudge€to€continue€to€hold€membership€in€an€organization€that€theŠ Lœ Šjudge€ņ ņknowsó ó,€or€reasonably€should€ņ ņknowó ó,€practices€and€willŠ "r Šcontinue€to€practice€such€invidious€discrimination€so€as€to€giveŠ V Šrise€to€the€perception€that€the€judge's€ņ ņimpartialityó ó€is€impaired.€Š Ü, ŠMembership€in€an€organization€would€not€be€prohibited€unless€thatŠ Ą Šmembership€would€reasonably€give€rise€to€a€perception€ofŠ –ę Špartiality.€€Certain€organizations€š!š€such€as€congregationalŠ l¼ Šbrotherhoods,€sisterhoods,€or€bowling€leagues€š!š€may€well€beŠ B’ Šrestricted€to€individuals€belonging€to€the€particularŠ h Šcongregation€and€therefore€to€those€sharing€a€particularŠ ī> Šreligious€belief,€but€it€is€unlikely€that€membership€in€such€anŠ Ä Šorganization€would€cause€people€reasonably€to€believe€that€theŠ šź  Šjudge€is€partial.Š p Ą! ŠĢą  ąWhether€an€organization€practices€and€will€continue€toŠ "l# Špractice€that€kind€of€invidious€discrimination€is€often€a€complexŠ ņ"B$ Šquestion€to€which€judges€should€be€sensitive.€€The€answer€cannotŠ Č#% Šbe€determined€merely€from€an€examination€of€an€organization'sŠ ž$ī& Šcurrent€membership€rolls€but€may€depend€on€(1)€the€nature€andŠ t%Ä ' Špurpose€of€the€organization,€(2)€any€restrictions€on€membership,Š J&š!( Š(3)€the€history€of€the€organization's€selection€of€members,€andŠ  'p") Š(4)€other€relevant€factors€such€as€that€the€organization€isŠ ö'F#* Šdedicated€to€the€preservation€of€cultural,€ethnic,€or€religiousŠ Ģ($+ Švalues€of€legitimate€common€interest€to€its€members,€or€that€itŠ ¢)ņ$, Šis,€in€fact€and€effect,€an€intimate,€purely€private€organizationŠ x*Č%- Šwhose€membership€limitations€could€not€be€constitutionallyŠ N+ž&. Šprohibited.€€Absent€such€factors,€an€organization€is€generallyŠ $,t'/ Šsaid€to€discriminate€invidiously€if€it€arbitrarily€excludes€fromŠ ś,J(0 Šmembership,€on€the€basis€of€national€origin,€race,€religion,€orŠ Š- )1 Šsex,€individuals€who€otherwise€would€be€admitted€to€membership.€€Š ° ŠĢą  ąAlthough€Canon€2C€relates€only€to€membership€in€organiza„Š \¬ Štions€that€invidiously€discriminate€on€the€basis€of€nationalŠ 2‚ Šorigin,€race,€religion,€or€sex,€a€judge's€membership€in€anŠ X Šorganization€that€engages€in€any€discriminatory€membershipŠ Ž. Špractices€prohibited€by€the€law€of€the€jurisdiction€also€violatesŠ “  ŠCanon€2A€and€gives€the€appearance€of€impropriety.€In€addition,€itŠ Š Ś Šwould€be€a€violation€of€Canon€2€for€a€judge€to€arrange€a€meetingŠ ` ° Šat€a€club€that€the€judge€ņ ņknowsó ó€practices€invidious€discriminationŠ 6 †  Šon€the€basis€of€national€origin,€race,€religion,€or€sex,€in€itsŠ  j  Šmembership€or€other€policies,€or€for€the€judge€to€use€such€clubŠ š @  Šregularly.€€Moreover,€public€manifestation€by€a€judge€of€theŠ Ę  Šjudge's€ņ ņknowingó ó€approval€of€invidious€discrimination€on€any€basisŠ œģ  Šgives€the€appearance€of€impropriety€under€Canon€2€and€diminishesŠ €Š  Špublic€confidence€in€the€ņ ņimpartialityó ó€and€integrity€of€theŠ V¦  Šjudiciary,€in€violation€of€Canon€2A.Š :Š  ŠĢą  ąWhen€a€judge€learns€that€an€organization€to€which€the€judgeŠ ę6 Šbelongs€engages€in€invidious€discrimination€that€would€precludeŠ ¼  Šmembership€under€Canon€2C€or€under€Canon€2A,€the€judge€isŠ ’ā Špermitted,€in€lieu€of€resigning,€to€make€immediate€efforts€toŠ hø Šhave€the€organization€discontinue€its€invidiously€discriminatoryŠ >Ž Špractices,€but€is€required€to€suspend€participation€in€all€otherŠ d Šactivities€of€the€organization.€€If€the€organization€fails€toŠ ź: Šdiscontinue€its€invidiously€discriminatory€practices€as€promptlyŠ Ą Šas€possible€(and€in€all€events€within€two€years€of€the€judge'sŠ –ę Šfirst€learning€of€the€practices),€the€judge€is€required€to€resignŠ l¼ Šimmediately€from€the€organization.Š B’ ŠĢĢĢŃ€OYŃĢĢŠ  F!–" Šą@HH'ģąCANON€3ˆŠ ° ŠĢĢą@ä ä ģąPerformance€of€Judicial€DutiesˆŠ 2‚ ŠĢĢÓÓą  ąIn€the€performance€of€judicial€duties,€the€followingŠ “  Šstandards€apply.Š ` ° ŠĢA.€€GENERAL€RESPONSIBILITIES.Š ø  Šą  ąA€judge€shall€perform€the€duties€of€judicial€office€Š d“  Šdiligently,€ņ ņimpartiallyó ó,€and€without€having€or€manifesting€biasŠ `  Šor€prejudice,€including€bias€or€prejudice€based€on€age,Š Ų( Šdisability,€national€origin,€race,€religion,€sex,€sexualŠ „Ō Šorientation,€or€socioeconomic€status.€šŠ 0€ ŠÓÓĢą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ ² ŠĢą  ąA€judge€must€perform€judicial€duties€fairly€and€ņ ņimpartiallyó ó.Š ^® ŠA€judge€who€manifests€bias€of€any€kind€in€a€proceeding€impairsŠ B’ Šthe€fairness€of€the€proceeding€and€brings€the€judiciary€intoŠ h Šdisrepute.€€Facial€expression€and€body€language,€in€addition€toŠ ī> Šoral€communication,€can€give€an€appearance€of€judicial€bias.€€AŠ Ä Šjudge€must€be€alert€to€avoid€behavior€that€may€be€perceived€asŠ šź  Šprejudicial.€€For€example,€a€judge€must€refrain€from€comment,Š p Ą! Šgesture,€or€other€conduct€that€could€reasonably€be€perceived€asŠ F!–" Šsexual€harassment.Š "l# ŠĢĢĢB.€€ADJUDICATIVE€RESPONSIBILITIES.Š t%Ä ' Š€€Š J&š!( ŠÓÓą  ą(1)€A€judge€shall€be€faithful€to€the€law€and€maintainŠ  'p") Šprofessional€competence€in€it.Š Ģ($+ Šą  ą(2)€A€judge€shall€not€be€swayed€by€partisan€interests,Š x*Č%- Špublic€clamor,€or€fear€of€criticism.Š $,t'/ Šą  ą(3)€A€judge€shall€ņ ņrequireó ó€order€and€decorum€in€proceedingsŠ Š- )1 Šbefore€the€judge.Š ° Šą  ą(4)€A€judge€shall€be€dignified.€Š \¬ Šą  ą(5)€A€judge€shall€be€courteous€to€and€patient€with€jurors,Š X Šlawyers,€litigants,€witnesses,€and€others€with€whom€the€judgeŠ “  Šdeals€in€an€official€capacity€and€shall€ņ ņrequireó ó€similar€conductŠ ` ° Šof€lawyers€and€of€court€officials,€staff,€and€others€subject€toŠ ( x  Šthe€judge's€direction€and€control.Š Ō$  ŠÓÓą@ģģ*ģąˆĢą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ V¦  ŠĢą  ąThe€duty€to€hear€all€proceedings€fairly€and€with€patience€isŠ R Šnot€inconsistent€with€the€duty€to€dispose€promptly€of€theŠ Ų( Šbusiness€of€the€court.€€Judges€can€be€businesslike€and€efficientŠ ®ž Šwhile€being€deliberate€and€patient.Š „Ō ŠĢÓÓą  ą(6)€(a)€€A€judge€shall€accord€to€every€person€who€has€aŠ 0€ Šlegal€interest€in€a€proceeding€pending€before€the€judge,€or€thatŠ Ü, Špersonššs€lawyer,€the€right€to€be€heard€according€to€law.Š ˆŲ Š€€€€€€(b)€€While€presiding€over€a€proceeding,€a€judge€shallŠ 4„ Šneither€initiate,€permit,€or€consider€ņņex€parteóó€communications€norŠ ą0 Šconsider€other€communications€made€to€the€judge€outside€theŠ ˜č  Špresence€of€the€parties€concerning€a€pending€or€impendingŠ D!”" Šproceeding,€except€as€otherwise€provided€in€Canon€3B€(6).Š š"@$ Šą  ą(c)€ņņEx€parteóó€communications€that€relate€to€scheduling€orŠ œ$ģ& Šother€administrative€purposes€or€emergencies€and€not€toŠ T&¤!( Šsubstantive€matters€or€issues€on€the€merits€are€authorized,€if:Š (P#* Š(i)€circumstances€require;€(ii)€the€judge€reasonably€believesŠ ¬)ü$, Šthat€no€party€will€gain€a€procedural€or€tactical€advantage€as€aŠ X+Ø&. Šresult€of€the€communication;€(iii)€the€judge€makes€provisionŠ -T(0 Špromptly€to€notify€all€other€parties€as€to€the€substance€of€theŠ ° Šņņex€parteóó€communication;€and€(iv)€the€judge€affords€the€partiesŠ \¬ Šreasonable€opportunity€to€respond.Š d Šą  ą(d)€With€the€consent€of€the€parties,€a€judge€may€conferŠ Ą  Šseparately€with€the€parties€and€their€lawyers€in€an€effort€toŠ l ¼ Šmediate€or€settle€matters€pending€before€the€judge.Š  h  Šą  ą(e)€A€judge€may€obtain€the€advice€of€a€disinterested€expertŠ Ä  Šon€the€law€applicable€to€a€proceeding€if€the€judge:€(i)€makesŠ pĄ  Šprovision€promptly€to€notify€all€of€the€parties€as€to€the€expertŠ l  Šconsulted€and€the€substance€of€the€advice;€and€(ii)€affords€theŠ Č Šparties€reasonable€opportunity€to€respond.Š tÄ Šą  ą(f)€A€judge€may€consult€with€court€personnel€whose€functionŠ  p Šis€to€aid€the€judge€in€carrying€out€the€judgeššs€adjudicativeŠ Ģ Šresponsibilities€and€with€other€judges.Š xČ Šą  ą(g)€A€judge€may€initiate€or€consider€an€ņņex€parteóóŠ $t Šcommunication€when€expressly€authorized€by€law€to€do€so.Š Ü, ŠĢą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ 4!„" ŠÓÓą  ąThe€prohibition€against€communications€concerning€aŠ ą"0$ Šproceeding€includes€communications€from€lawyers,€law€teachers,Š ¶#% Šand€other€persons€who€are€not€participants€in€the€proceeding,Š Œ$Ü& Šexcept€to€the€limited€extent€permitted.€Š b%² ' ŠĢą  ąTo€the€extent€practicable,€all€parties€or€their€lawyers€mustŠ '^") Šbe€included€in€communications€with€a€judge.Š ä'4#* ŠĢą  ąWhenever€Canon€3B€(6)€requires€the€presence€of,€or€noticeŠ )ą$, Što,€a€party,€it€is€the€partyššs€lawyer€or,€if€the€party€isŠ f*¶%- Šunrepresented,€the€party€who€is€to€be€present€or€to€whom€noticeŠ <+Œ&. Šis€to€be€given.Š ,b'/ ŠĢŠ  ¾-)1 Šą  ąAn€appropriate€and€often€desirable€procedure€for€a€court€toŠ ° Šobtain€the€advice€of€a€disinterested€expert€on€legal€issues€is€toŠ †Ö Šinvite€the€expert€to€file€a€brief€ņņamicus€curiaeóó.Š \¬ ŠĢą  ąCanon€3B€(6)€allows€for€limited€ņņex€parteóó€communication€toŠ ^ Šfacilitate€scheduling€and€other€administrative€purposes€and€toŠ ź: Šaccommodate€emergencies.€€Even€then,€however,€a€judge€mustŠ Ą  Šdiscourage€ņņex€parteóó€communication€and€allow€it€only€if€all€of€theŠ – ę Šcriteria€stated€in€Canon€3B€(6)€clearly€are€met.€€A€judge€mustŠ r Ā Šdisclose€to€all€parties€all€ņņex€parteóó€communication€described€inŠ H ˜  ŠCanon€3B€(6)(c)€and€(e)€regarding€a€proceeding€pending€orŠ $ t  Šimpending€before€the€judge.Š ś J  ŠĢą  ąA€judge€must€not€independently€investigate€facts€in€a€caseŠ ¦ö  Šand€must€consider€only€the€evidence€presented,€except€matters€ofŠ |Ģ  Šwhich€the€court€properly€can€take€judicial€notice.Š R¢  ŠĢą  ąA€judge€may€request€a€party€to€submit€proposed€findings€ofŠ žN Šfact€and€conclusions€of€law€if€all€of€the€other€parties€areŠ Ō$ Šapprised€of€the€request€and€given€an€opportunity€to€respond€toŠ Ŗś Šthe€proposed€findings€and€conclusions.Š €Š ŠĢą  ąA€judge€must€make€reasonable€efforts,€including€theŠ ,| Šprovision€of€appropriate€supervision,€to€ensure€that€Canon€3B€(6)Š R Šis€not€violated€through€law€clerks€or€other€personnel€on€theŠ Ų( Šjudgeššs€staff.Š ®ž ŠĢą  ąIf€communication€between€a€trial€judge€and€appellate€courtŠ ZŖ Šwith€respect€to€a€proceeding€is€permitted,€a€copy€of€all€writtenŠ 0€ Šcommunications€and€the€substance€of€all€oral€communicationsŠ V Šshould€be€provided€to€all€parties.Š Ü, ŠĢĢÓÓą  ą(7)€A€judge€shall€dispose€of€the€business€of€the€courtŠ ^ ®! Šefficiently,€fairly,€and€promptly.Š  "Z# ŠÓÓĢą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ Œ$Ü& ŠĢą  ąPrompt€disposition€of€the€court's€business€requires€a€judgeŠ 8&ˆ!( Što€devote€adequate€time€to€judicial€duties,€to€be€punctual€inŠ '^") Šattending€court€and€expeditious€in€determining€matters€underŠ ä'4#* Šsubmission,€and€to€insist€that€court€officials€and€litigants€andŠ ŗ( $+ Štheir€lawyers€cooperate€to€that€end.€€Š )ą$, ŠĢÓÓą  ą(8)€A€judge€shall€abstain€from€public€comment€that€relatesŠ <+Œ&. Što€a€proceeding€pending€or€impending€in€any€court€and€that€mightŠ č,8(0 Šreasonably€be€expected€to€affect€the€outcome€of€that€proceedingŠ ° Šor€to€impair€the€fairness€of€that€proceeding€and€shall€ņ ņrequireó óŠ \¬ Šsimilar€abstention€on€the€part€of€court€personnel€subject€to€theŠ $t Šjudge's€direction€and€control.€€Canon€3B€(8)€does€not€prohibit€aŠ Š  Šjudge€from€making€public€statements€in€the€course€of€officialŠ | Ģ Šduties€or€from€explaining€for€public€information€the€proceduresŠ ( x  Šof€the€court.Š Ō$  ŠÓÓą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ €Š  ŠĢą  ą"Court€personnel"€does€not€include€the€lawyers€in€aŠ ,|  Šproceeding€before€a€judge.€The€conduct€of€lawyers€in€this€regardŠ R Šis€governed€by€Rule€3.6€of€the€Maryland€[Lawyers']€Rules€ofŠ Ų( ŠProfessional€Conduct.Š ®ž ŠĢĢÓÓą  ą(9)€With€respect€to€a€case,€controversy,€or€issue€that€isŠ 0€ Šlikely€to€come€before€the€court,€a€judge€shall€not€make€aŠ Ü, Šcommitment,€pledge,€or€promise€that€is€inconsistent€with€theŠ ˆŲ Šņ ņimpartialó ó€performance€of€the€adjudicative€duties€of€the€office.Š 4„ ŠÓÓĢą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ Ņ" ŠĢą  ąCanon€3B€(8)€and€(9)€restrictions€on€a€judgeššs€speech€areŠ ~ Ī! Šessential€to€the€maintenance€of€the€ņ ņimpartialityó ó,€independence,Š T!¤" Šand€integrity€of€the€judiciary.€€A€pending€proceeding€is€one€thatŠ 8"ˆ# Šhas€begun€but€not€yet€reached€final€disposition.€€An€impendingŠ #^$ Šproceeding€is€one€that€is€anticipated€but€not€yet€begun.€€TheŠ ä#4% Šrequirement€that€a€judge€abstain€from€public€comment€regarding€aŠ ŗ$ & Špending€or€impending€proceeding€continues€during€any€appellateŠ %ą ' Šprocess€and€until€final€disposition.Š f&¶!( ŠĢÓÓą  ą(10)€At€the€conclusion€of€a€jury€trial,€the€judge€shall€notŠ (b#* Šcommunicate€to€the€jury€the€judgeššs€praise€or€criticism€of€theŠ ¾)%, Šverdict€but€may€thank€the€jurors€for€their€public€service.Š j+ŗ&. ŠÓÓŠ  -f(0 ŠŃOY+Ńā āŃ°°Ńā āŃ  Ńą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ ° ŠĢą  ąCommending€or€criticizing€jurors€for€their€verdict€may€implyŠ \¬ Ša€judicial€expectation€in€future€cases€and€may€impair€a€jurorššsŠ 2‚ Šability€to€be€fair€and€ņ ņimpartialó ó€in€a€subsequent€case.Š X ŠĢÓÓą  ą(11)€A€judge€shall€ņ ņrequireó ó€lawyers€in€proceedings€before€theŠ Ā  Šjudge€to€refrain€from€manifesting,€by€word€or€conduct,€bias€orŠ Š Ś Šprejudice€based€upon€age,€disability,€national€origin,€race,Š 6 †  Šreligion,€sex,€sexual€orientation,€or€socioeconomic€status.€Š ā2  ŠCanon€3B€(11)€does€not€preclude€legitimate€advocacy€when€suchŠ ŽŽ  Šstatus€or€other€similar€factor€is€an€issue€in€a€proceeding.€€Š :Š  Šą  ą(12)€Unless€recusal€is€appropriate,€a€judge€shall€hear€andŠ ę6 Šdecide€matters€assigned€to€the€judge.Š ’ā ŠÓÓCross€reference:€€As€to€court€records,€see€Title€16,€Chapter€1000Š >Ž Šof€the€Maryland€Rules.€€As€to€prohibitions€against,€and€penaltiesŠ d Šfor,€improper€disclosure€or€use€of€information€by€governmentŠ ź: Šofficials€and€employees,€see€Code,€State€Government€Article,Š Ą Ššššš15„507€and€15„903.€€As€to€civil€and€criminal€provisionsŠ –ę Šgoverning€improper€disclosure€of€information,€see,€e.g.,€Code,Š l¼ ŠState€Government€Article,€šššš10„626€and€10„627€(public€records)Š B’ Šand€Code,€Tax„General€Article,€šš13„1018€(tax€information).Š h ŠĢĢĢÓÓC.€ADMINISTRATIVE€RESPONSIBILITIES.Š p Ą! Šą  ą(1)€A€judge€shall€discharge€the€judge's€administrativeŠ "l# Šresponsibilities€without€favoritism€or€nepotism€and€shallŠ Č#% Šcooperate€with€other€judges€and€court€officials€in€theŠ t%Ä ' Šadministration€of€court€business.Š  'p") Šą  ą(2)€A€judge€shall€ņ ņrequireó ó€court€officials,€staff,€and€othersŠ Ģ($+ Šsubject€to€the€judgeššs€direction€and€control€to€observe€theŠ ”*ä%- Šstandards€of€diligence€and€fidelity€that€apply€to€the€judge€andŠ @,'/ Što€refrain€from€manifesting€bias€or€prejudice€in€the€performanceŠ ģ-<)1 Šof€their€official€duties.Š ° Šą  ą(3)€A€judge€with€supervisory€authority€for€the€judicialŠ \¬ Šperformance€of€other€judges€shall€take€reasonable€measures€toŠ X Šensure€the€prompt€disposition€of€matters€before€those€judges€andŠ “  Šthe€proper€performance€of€their€other€judicial€responsibilities.Š ` ° Šą  ą(4)€A€judge€shall€not€make€unnecessary€appointments€andŠ  \  Šshall€not€approve€compensation€of€appointees€beyond€the€fairŠ ø  Švalue€of€services€rendered.€€Š d“  ŠÓÓĢą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ ę6 ŠĢ€€€€€€Consent€by€the€parties€to€an€appointment€or€an€award€ofŠ ’ā Šcompensation€does€not€relieve€a€judge€of€the€obligationŠ hø Šprescribed€by€Canon€3C€(4).Š >Ž Šą  ąĢÓÓĢD.€€RECUSAL.Š –ę Šą  ą(1)€A€judge€shall€recuse€himself€or€herself€from€aŠ B’ Šproceeding€in€which€the€judge's€ņ ņimpartialityó ó€might€reasonably€beŠ ī> Šquestioned,€including€an€instance€when:Š ¶ Šą  ąą ` ą(a)€the€judge€has€a€personal€bias€or€prejudiceŠ b ²! Šconcerning€a€party€or€a€partyššs€lawyer€or€extra„judicialŠ "^# Šņ ņknowledgeó ó€of€a€disputed€evidentiary€fact€concerning€theŠ ŗ# % Šproceeding;€€Š ‚%Ņ ' Šą  ąą ` ą(b)€the€judge€served€as€a€lawyer€in€the€matter€inŠ .'~") Šcontroversy,€or€a€lawyer€with€whom€the€judge€previously€practicedŠ Ś(*$+ Šlaw€served€during€such€association€as€a€lawyer€concerning€theŠ †*Ö%- Šmatter,€or€the€judge€has€been€a€material€witness€concerning€it;Š 2,‚'/ ŠÓÓŠ  Ž-.)1 Šą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ ° ŠĢą  ąA€lawyer€in€a€governmental€agency€does€not€necessarily€haveŠ \¬ Šan€association€with€other€lawyers€employed€by€that€agency€withinŠ 2‚ Šthe€meaning€of€Canon€3D€(1)(b);€a€judge€formerly€employed€by€aŠ X Šgovernmental€agency,€however,€should€not€participate€in€aŠ Ž. Šproceeding€if€the€judge's€ņ ņimpartialityó ó€might€reasonably€beŠ “  Šquestioned€because€of€such€association.€€Š ˜ č ŠĢÓÓą  ąą ` ą(c)€the€judge€ņ ņknowsó ó€that€he€or€she,€individually€or€asŠ D ”  Ša€ņ ņfiduciaryó ó,€or€a€ņ ņmember€of€the€judgeššs€familyó ó,€has€aņ ņ€significantŠ  \  Šfinancial€interestó ó€in€the€subject€matter€in€controversy€or€in€aŠ Ō$  Šparty€to€the€proceeding;Š œģ  ŠÓÓĢą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ n ŠĢą  ąThere€may€be€situations€that€involve€a€lesser€financialŠ Ź Šinterest€but€nonetheless€require€recusal€because€of€the€judge'sŠ  š Šown€sense€of€propriety.€€Conversely,€there€are€situations€whereŠ vĘ Šparticipation€may€be€appropriate€even€though€the€"financialŠ Lœ Šinterest"€threshold€is€present.€€In€the€latter€case,€a€judgeŠ "r Šfirst€must€obtain€an€opinion€from€the€Judicial€Ethics€CommitteeŠ ųH Šwith€regard€to€the€appropriateness,€except€as€provided€in€CanonŠ Ī Š3E€(Non-recusal€by€Agreement).Š ¤ō ŠĢÓÓą  ąą ` ą(d)€the€judge,€the€judgeššs€spouse,€an€individual€withinŠ P  Šthe€ņ ņthird€degree€of€relationshipó ó€to€either€of€them,€or€the€spouseŠ üL Šof€such€an€individual:Š Ä ! Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ą(i)€is€a€party€to€the€proceeding€or€a€director,Š p"Ą# Šofficer,€or€trustee€of€a€party;€€Š $l% Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ą(ii)€is€acting€as€a€lawyer€in€the€proceeding;Š Č%!' ŠÓÓĢą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ J(š#* ŠĢą  ąThe€fact€that€a€lawyer€in€a€proceeding€is€affiliated€with€aŠ ö)F%, Šlaw€firm€with€which€a€lawyer-relative€of€a€judge€is€affiliatedŠ Ģ*&- Šdoes€not€of€itself€require€recusal€of€the€judge.€€UnderŠ ¢+ņ&. Šappropriate€circumstances,€the€fact€that€"the€judge'sŠ x,Č'/ Šņ ņimpartialityó ó€might€reasonably€be€questioned"€under€Canon€3D€(1),€Š  N-ž(0 Šor€that€the€lawyer-relative€is€ņ ņknownó ó€by€the€judge€to€have€anŠ ° Šinterest€in€the€law€firm€that€could€be€"substantially€affected€byŠ ”ä Šthe€proceeding"€under€Canon€3D€(1)(d)(iii),€may€require€theŠ jŗ Šjudge's€recusal.Š @ ŠĢÓÓą  ąą ` ąą ø ą(iii)€is€ņ ņknownó ó€by€the€judge€to€have€a€ņ ņsignificantŠ ģ< Šfinancial€interestó ó€that€could€be€substantially€affected€by€theŠ “  Šproceeding;€or€€Š | Ģ  Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ą(iv)€is€to€the€judge's€ņ ņknowledgeó ó€likely€to€be€aŠ (x  Šmaterial€witness€in€the€proceeding;€orŠ š@  Šą  ąą ` ą(e)€the€judge,€while€a€judge€or€a€candidate€forŠ œģ  Šjudicial€office,€has€made€a€public€statement€that€commits,€orŠ H˜ Šappears€to€commit,€the€judge€with€respect€to:Š ōD Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ą(i)€an€issue€in€the€proceeding;€orŠ  š Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ą(ii)€the€controversy€in€the€proceeding.Š Lœ Š€€€€(2)€A€judge€shall€keep€informed€about€the€judgeššs€personalŠ ųH Šand€ņ ņfiduciaryó ó€financial€interests€and€shall€make€a€reasonableŠ ¤ō Šeffort€to€keep€informed€about€the€personal€financial€interests€ofŠ l¼ Šeach€ņ ņmember€of€the€judgeššsó ó€ņ ņhouseholdó ó.Š h ŠÓÓĢą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ ¶!" ŠĢą  ąUnder€Canon€3D€(1),€a€judge€must€recuse€himself€or€herselfŠ b#²$ Šwhenever€the€judgeššs€ņ ņimpartialityó ó€might€reasonably€be€questioned,Š 8$ˆ% Šregardless€of€whether€any€of€the€specific€instances€in€Canon€3DŠ %l & Š(1)€apply.€Š ņ%B!' ŠĢą  ąA€judge€must€disclose€on€the€record€information€that€theŠ ž'ī") Šjudge€believes€the€parties€or€their€lawyers€might€considerŠ t(Ä#* Šrelevant€to€the€question€of€recusal,€even€if€the€judge€believesŠ J)š$+ Šthat€there€is€no€real€basis€for€recusal.Š  *p%, ŠĢą  ąBy€decisional€law,€the€rule€of€necessity€may€override€theŠ Ģ+'. Šrule€of€recusal.€€For€example,€a€judge€might€be€required€toŠ ¢,ņ'/ Šparticipate€in€judicial€review€of€a€judicial€salary€statute€or€Š  x-Č(0 Šmight€be€the€only€judge€available€in€a€matter€requiring€immediateŠ ° Šjudicial€action,€such€as€a€hearing€on€probable€cause€or€aŠ †Ö Štemporary€restraining€order.€€When€the€rule€of€necessity€doesŠ \¬ Šoverride€the€rule€of€recusal,€the€judge€must€disclose€on€theŠ 2‚ Šrecord€the€basis€for€possible€recusal€and,€if€practicable,€useŠ X Šreasonable€efforts€to€transfer€the€matter€promptly€to€anotherŠ Ž. Šjudge.Š “  ŠĢĢĢÓÓE.€NON-RECUSAL€BY€AGREEMENT.Š  \  Š€€€€€If€recusal€would€be€required€by€Canon€3D,€the€judge€mayŠ ø  Šdisclose€on€the€record€the€reason€for€the€recusal.€€If€afterŠ d“  Šdisclosure€of€any€reason€for€recusal€other€than€as€required€byŠ `  ŠCanon€3D€(1)(a),€the€parties€and€lawyers,€out€of€the€presence€ofŠ ¼  Šthe€judge,€all€agree€that€the€judge€need€not€recuse€himself€orŠ hø Šherself,€and€the€judge€is€willing€to€participate,€the€agreementŠ d Šof€the€parties€shall€be€incorporated€in€the€record,€and€the€judgeŠ Ą Šmay€participate€in€the€proceeding.Š l¼ ŠÓÓĢą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ ī> ŠĢą  ąThis€procedure€gives€the€parties€an€opportunity€to€waive€theŠ šź Šrecusal€if€the€judge€agrees.€€The€judge€may€comment€on€possibleŠ pĄ  Šwaiver€but€must€ensure€that€consideration€of€the€question€ofŠ F –! Šwaiver€is€made€independently€of€the€judge.€€A€party€may€actŠ !l" Šthrough€counsel€if€counsel€represents€on€the€record€that€theŠ ņ!B# Šparty€has€been€consulted€and€consents.€€As€a€practical€matter,€aŠ Č"$ Šjudge€may€wish€to€have€all€parties€and€their€lawyers€sign€aŠ ž#ī% Šwaiver€agreement.Š t$Ä& ŠĢĢĢÓÓF.€€DISCIPLINARY€RESPONSIBILITIES.Š Ģ'#* Šą  ą(1)€A€judge€should€take€or€initiate€appropriate€correctiveŠ x)Č$, Šmeasures€with€respect€to€the€unprofessional€conduct€of€anotherŠ $+t&. Šjudge€or€a€lawyer.Š Š, (0 Š€€€€€(2)€If€other€corrective€measures€are€not€appropriate€or,€ifŠ ° Šattempted,€were€not€successful,€a€judge€shall€inform€theŠ \¬ ŠCommission€on€Judicial€Disabilities€of€facts€ņ ņknownó ó€to€that€judgeŠ X Šthat€raise€a€substantial€question€as€to€another€judgeššs€fitnessŠ Š  Šfor€office.Š | Ģ Šą  ą(3)€If€other€corrective€measures€are€not€appropriate€or,€ifŠ ( x  Šattempted,€were€not€successful,€a€judge€shall€inform€the€AttorneyŠ Ō$  ŠGrievance€Commission€of€facts€ņ ņknownó ó€to€the€judge€that€raise€aŠ €Š  Šsubstantial€question€as€to€a€lawyerššs€honesty,€trustworthiness,Š H˜  Šor€fitness€as€a€lawyer€in€other€respects.Š ōD Šą  ą(4)€Acts€of€a€judge€required€or€permitted€by€Canon€3F€(1),Š  š Š(2),€or€(3)€shall€be€absolutely€privileged,€and€no€civil€actionŠ Lœ Špredicated€thereon€may€be€instituted€against€the€judge.Š ųH ŠÓÓĢą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ zŹ ŠĢą  ąPermitting€a€judge€to€take€"corrective"€measures€gives€theŠ &v Šjudge€a€wide€range€of€options€to€deal€with€unprofessionalŠ üL Šconduct.š€€Appropriate€corrective€measures€may€include€directŠ Ņ" Šcommunication€with€the€judge€or€lawyer€who€is€believed€to€haveŠ Øų  Šcommitted€the€violation€or€other€direct€action€if€available.€Š ~ Ī! ŠThere€may€be€instances€of€professional€misconduct€that€wouldŠ T!¤" Šwarrant€a€private€admonition€or€referral€to€a€bar€associationŠ *"z# Šcounseling€service.Š #P$ ŠĢÓÓŠ  ¬$ü& Šą@ŠŠ&ģąCANON€4€€ˆŠ ° Šū€€€(ūą@ģąü€€€(üExtra-Judicial€ą@@””%ģąActivitiesˆŠ \¬ ŠĢA.€€EXTRA„JUDICIAL€ACTIVITIES€IN€GENERAL.Š “  Šą  ąA€judge€shall€conduct€all€extra„judicial€activities€so€thatŠ ` ° Šthey€do€not:ą@ģģ*ģąˆŠ  \  Šą  ą(1)€cause€a€substantial€question€as€to€the€judgeššs€capacityŠ ø  Što€act€ņ ņimpartiallyó ó€as€a€judge;Š d“  Šą  ą(2)€demean€the€judicial€office;€orŠ ,|  Š€€€€€(3)€interfere€with€the€proper€performance€of€judicialŠ Ų( Šduties.Š „Ō ŠÓÓĢą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ V ŠĢą  ąComplete€separation€of€a€judge€from€extra„judicialŠ ² Šactivities€is€neither€possible€nor€desirable.€€A€judge€should€notŠ ˆŲ Šbecome€isolated€from€the€judgeššs€community.€€Š ^® ŠĢą  ąAn€extra„judicial€activity,€however,€may€be€perceived€toŠ  Z Šreflect€on€judicial€behavior.€€For€example,€an€expression€of€biasŠ ą0 Šor€prejudice€by€a€judge,€even€outside€the€judgeššs€judicialŠ ¶ Šactivities,€may€cause€a€substantial€question€as€to€the€judgeššsŠ ŒÜ  Šcapacity€to€act€ņ ņimpartiallyó ó€as€a€judge.€€Expressions€that€may€doŠ b ²! Šso€include€jokes€or€other€remarks€demeaning€individuals€on€theŠ F!–" Šbasis€of€their€age,€disability,€national€origin,€race,€religion,Š "l# Šsex,€sexual€orientation,€or€socioeconomic€status.€€See€Canon€2CŠ ņ"B$ Šand€the€accompanying€Comment.Š Č#% ŠÓÓĢĢB.€€AVOCATIONAL€ACTIVITIES.Š ö'F#* Šą  ąSubject€to€other€provisions€of€this€Code,€a€judge€mayŠ ¢)ņ$, Šlecture,€speak,€teach,€write,€and€otherwise€participate€in€otherŠ N+ž&. Šextra„judicial€activities€concerning€the€administration€ofŠ ś,J(0 Šjustice,€the€legal€system,€improvement€of€the€law,€and€non„legalŠ ° Šmatters.€€Š \¬ ŠÓÓĢą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ Ž. ŠĢą  ąA€judge€is€in€a€unique€position€to€contribute€to€theŠ Š Ś Šadministration€of€justice,€the€legal€system,€and€improvement€ofŠ ` ° Šthe€law,€including€the€revision€of€substantive€and€procedural€lawŠ 6 †  Šand€improvement€of€criminal€and€juvenile€justice.€€As€time€mayŠ  \  Špermit,€a€judge€is€encouraged€to€do€so,€either€independently€orŠ ā 2  Šthrough€a€bar€association,€judicial€conference,€or€otherŠ ø  Šorganization€dedicated€to€the€improvement€of€the€law.Š ŽŽ  ŠĢą  ąThe€phrase€š šsubject€to€other€provisions€of€this€Codešš€isŠ :Š  Šused€in€this€and€other€sections€of€Canon€4,€primarily€inŠ `  Šconnection€with€a€judgeššs€charitable,€civic,€or€governmentalŠ ę6 Šactivities,€to€remind€judges€that€use€of€permissive€language€inŠ ¼  Švarious€sections€of€this€Code€does€not€relieve€a€judge€from€theŠ ’ā Šother€provisions€of€this€Code€that€apply€to€the€specific€conduct.Š hø ŠĢĢą@P P ģąņ ņņņAlternative€A€„€Rules€Committeeššs€VersionóóˆŠ ź: Šó óĢņ ņCommittee€note:€€The€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€has€cautioned€thatŠ ¤ō Ša€judge€who€agrees€to€speak€at€a€political€club€should€scheduleŠ ˆŲ Šthe€speech€so€as€not€to€be€present€for€political€discussions,€beŠ l¼ Šreasonably€available€to€other€groups€with€similar€invitations,Š P  Šand€not€speak€at€fund„raising€events.€€Š 4„ ŠĢó óĢą@ųųģąņ ņņņAlternative€B€„€Judicial€Ethics€Committeeššs€Versionóóó óˆŠ Ņ"  ŠĢņ ņCommittee€note:€€The€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€has€cautionedŠ Œ!Ü" Šjudges€to€schedule€a€speech€at€a€political€club€so€as€not€to€beŠ p"Ą# Špresent€for€political€discussions,€to€be€reasonably€available€toŠ T#¤$ Šother€groups€with€similar€invitations,€not€to€lecture€toŠ 8$ˆ% Šprobationers€who€might€be€brought€back€before€the€court,€and€notŠ %l & Što€speak€at€fund„raising€events.ó 󀀩 &P!' ŠĢą  ąThe€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€has€held€that€writing€anŠ ŗ' #) Šintroduction€for€a€book€was€not€using€the€judicial€office€for€aŠ (ą#* Šprivate€business.Š f)¶$+ ŠĢĢĢÓÓŠ  ¾,(/ ŠC.€€CHARITABLE,€CIVIC,€AND€GOVERNMENTAL€ACTIVITIES.Š ° Šą  ą(1)€Except€when€acting€ņņpro€seóó€in€a€matter€that€involves€theŠ \¬ Šjudge€or€the€judgeššs€interests,€when€acting€as€to€a€matter€thatŠ d Šconcerns€the€administration€of€justice,€the€legal€system,€orŠ Ą  Šimprovement€of€the€law,€or€when€acting€as€otherwise€allowed€underŠ l ¼ ŠCanon€4,€a€judge€shall€not€appear€at€a€public€hearing€before,€orŠ  h  Šotherwise€consult€with,€an€executive€or€legislative€body€orŠ Ä  Šofficial.Š pĄ  ŠÓÓą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ l  ŠĢ€€€€€€€€As€suggested€in€the€ņņReporter's€Notes€to€the€ABA€ModelŠ Č ŠCode€of€Judicial€Conductóó€(1990),€the€"administration€of€justice"Š ¤ō Šis€not€limited€to€"matters€of€judicial€administration"€but€isŠ €Š Šbroad€enough€to€include€other€matters€relating€to€the€judiciary.€€Š V¦ ŠĢĢÓÓą@P P ģąņņņ ņAlternative€A€„€Rules€Committeeššs€Versionóóó óˆŠ Ų( Šą  ąņ ņ(2)€Except€as€otherwise€provided€by€law€and€subject€to€CanonŠ  š Š4A,€a€judge€may€accept€appointment€to€a€governmental€commission,Š hø Šcommittee,€or€position.ó óŠ 0€ ŠĢą@ųųģąņņņ ņAlternative€B€„€Judicial€Ethics€Committeeššs€Versionóóó óˆŠ ¤!ō" Šą  ąņ ņ(2)€Except€as€otherwise€provided€by€law€and€subject€to€CanonŠ l#¼$ Š4A,€a€judge€may€accept€appointment€to€a€governmental€advisoryŠ 4%„ & Šcommission,€committee,€or€position.ó ó€Š ü&L"( ŠÓÓĢą@HH'ģąCOMMENTˆŠ š)ź$+ ŠĢ€€€€A€judge€may€not€accept€a€governmental€appointment€that€couldŠ F+–&- Šinterfere€with€the€effectiveness€and€independence€of€theŠ ,l'. Šjudiciary,€assume€or€discharge€an€executive€or€legislative€powerŠ ņ,B(/ Š(Maryland€Declaration€of€Rights,€Article€8),€or€hold€an€"office"Š Č-)0 Šunder€the€constitution€or€other€laws€of€the€United€States€orŠ ° ŠState€of€Maryland€(Maryland€Declaration€of€Rights,€Articles€33Š †Ö Šand€35).Š \¬ ŠĢĢCommittee€note:€€The€Judicial€Ethics€Committee€notes€that€theŠ Ž. Šsupremacy€clause€of€U.S.€Constitution€Article€IV€ma