Code of Judicial Conduct
NOTE: The Code of Judicial Conduct in West Virginia was adopted by order entered October 21, 1992, and became effective January 1, 1993. By order issued November 12, 2015, the Court approved revisions to the West Virginia Code of Judicial Conduct, after two separate periods of public comment.
The Clerk's Notes are provided to alert the reader to the general nature of the changes
Table of Contents
- Preamble
- Scope
- Terminology
- Application
- Canon 1
- Canon 2
- A Judge Shall Perform The Duties Of Judicial Office Impartially, Competently, And Diligently.
- Giving Precedence to the Duties of Judicial Office
- Impartiality and Fairness
- Bias, Prejudice, and Harassment
- External Influences on Judicial Conduct
- Competence, Diligence, and Cooperation
- Ensuring the Right to be Heard
- Responsibility to Decide
- Decorum, Demeanor, and Communication with Jurors
- Ex Parte Communications
- Judicial Statements on Pending and Impending Cases
- Disqualification
- Supervisory Duties
- Administrative Appointments
- Disability and Impairment
- Responding to Judicial and Lawyer Misconduct
- Cooperation with Disciplinary Authorities
- A Judge Shall Perform The Duties Of Judicial Office Impartially, Competently, And Diligently.
- Canon 3
- A Judge Shall Conduct The Judge's Personal And Extrajudicial Activities To Minimize The Risk Of Conflict With The Obligations Of Judicial Office.
- Extrajudicial Activities in General
- Appearance Before Governmental Bodies and Consultation with Government Officials
- Testifying as a Character Witness
- Appointments to Governmental Positions
- Use of Nonpublic Information
- Affiliation with Discriminatory Organizations
- Participation in Educational, Religious, Charitable, Fraternal, or Civic Organizations and Activities
- Appointments to Fiduciary Positions
- Service as Arbitrator or Mediator
- Practice of Law
- Financial, Business, or Remunerative Activities
- Compensation for Extrajudicial Activities
- Acceptance and Reporting of Gifts, Loans, Bequests, Benefits, or Other Things of Value
- Reimbursement of Expenses and Waivers of Fees or Charges
- Reporting Requirements
- A Judge Shall Conduct The Judge's Personal And Extrajudicial Activities To Minimize The Risk Of Conflict With The Obligations Of Judicial Office.
- Canon 4
