Ethics Clarity For New Jersey Judges

From the New Jersey Courts web page

The Supreme Court has adopted a revised Code of Judicial Conduct that sets clearer ethical standards for judges to follow.

The code consists of seven canons that set judicial guidelines in areas such as political activity, conflicts of interest and the acceptance of gifts.

The revised code, which goes into effect on Sept. 1, maintains the existing high standards long followed by New Jersey’s judges while drawing upon language from recent Supreme Court decisions to set more clearly defined guidelines for avoiding the appearance of impropriety in both judicial and personal conduct. The revisions also include a more detailed guide for judicial disqualifications, spelling out the circumstances in which recusals are mandatory, discretionary or not needed.

(Mike Frisch)