Pennsylvania Code
Title 204 - JUDICIAL SYSTEM GENERAL PROVISIONS
Part V - PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND CONDUCT
Subpart A - PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Chapter 81 - RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
Subchapter A - RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROFESSION
Rule 8.2 - Statements Concerning Judges and Other Adjudicatory Officers
Universal Citation: 204 PA Code ยง 8.2
Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
(a) A lawyer shall not make a statement that the lawyer knows to be false or with reckless disregard as to its truth or falsity concerning the qualifications or integrity of a judge, adjudicatory officer or public legal officer, or of a candidate for election or appointment to judicial or legal office.
(b) A lawyer who is a candidate for judicial office shall comply with the applicable provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct and/or the Rules Governing Standards of Conduct for Magisterial District Judges, as applicable.
Comment:
(1) Assessments by lawyers are relied on in
evaluating the professional or personal fitness of persons being considered for
election or appointment to judicial office and to public legal offices, such as
attorney general, prosecuting attorney and public defender. Expressing honest
and candid opinions on such matters contributes to improving the administration
of justice. Conversely, false statements by a lawyer can unfairly undermine
public confidence in the administration of justice.
(2) When a lawyer seeks judicial office, the
lawyer should be bound by applicable limitations on political
activity.
(3) To maintain the fair
and independent administration of justice, lawyers are encouraged to continue
traditional efforts to defend judges and courts unjustly
criticized.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Pennsylvania may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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