Iowa Ct. R. ch. 51, Preamble

[1] An independent, fair, and impartial judiciary is indispensable to our system of justice. The United

States legal system is based upon the principle that an independent, impartial, and competent judiciary,

composed of men and women of integrity, will interpret and apply the law that governs our society.

Thus, the judiciary plays a central role in preserving the principles of justice and the rule of law.

Inherent in all the rules contained in the Iowa Code of Judicial Conduct are the precepts that judges,

individually and collectively, must respect and honor the judicial office as a public trust and strive to

maintain and enhance confidence in the legal system.

[2] Judges should maintain the dignity of judicial office at all times and avoid both impropriety and

the appearance of impropriety in their professional and personal lives. They should aspire at all times

to conduct that ensures the greatest possible public confidence in their independence, impartiality,

integrity, and competence.

[3] The Iowa Code of Judicial Conduct establishes standards for the ethical conduct of judges and

judicial candidates. It is not intended as an exhaustive guide for the conduct of judges and judicial

candidates, who are governed in their judicial and personal conduct by general ethical standards

as well as by the Code. The Code is intended, however, to provide guidance and assist judges

in maintaining the highest standards of judicial and personal conduct, and to provide a basis for

regulating their conduct through disciplinary agencies.