True or False: A municipal judge has a duty to take action against another judge who is violating the code of Judicial Conduct?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Not applicable

Answer: (A)

Judges are expected to uphold the integrity of the judiciary and hold each other accountable. When a municipal judge knows another judge is violating the Code of Judicial Conduct, the ethical course is to take appropriate action to address the violation. That action can range from advising the colleague to seek remediation to notifying the appropriate authority, such as the state Commission on Judicial Conduct, so the matter can be investigated and sanctions imposed if warranted. The obligation applies to municipal judges just as it does to all judges, and ignoring known misconduct undermines public trust in the judiciary. So the statement is true.