Categories : Law Practice Legal EthicsLeave a comment
Ethics in Brief: Criticizing Judges — Proposed Amendment to a Rule of Professional Conduct
By Edward J. McIntyre
The State Bar Standing Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct (COPRAC) is recommending to the Board of Trustees that the Board recommend to the Supreme Court a change in Rule 8.2 (Judicial Officials), by the addition of a new Comment [1]. The California Judges Association requested the change in response to increased public criticism of judges resulting in threats and violence against judges due to their rulings. This endangers judicial independence, public trust in the legal system, and ultimately the rule of law.