Ind. Prof. Cond. Rule 3.5

Effective January 1, 2005

A lawyer shall not:

(a) seek to influence a judge, juror, prospective juror or other official by means prohibited by

law;

(b) communicate ex parte with such a person during the proceeding unless authorized to do

so by law or court order;

(c) communicate with a juror or prospective juror after discharge of the jury if:

(1) the communication is prohibited by law or court order;

(2) the juror has made known to the lawyer a desire not to communicate; or

(3) the communication involves misrepresentation, coercion, duress or harassment.

(d) engage in conduct intended to disrupt a tribunal.

Comment

[1] Many forms of improper influence upon a tribunal are proscribed by criminal law. Others are specified in the ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct, with which an advocate

should be familiar. A lawyer is required to avoid contributing to a violation of such provisions.

[2] During a proceeding a lawyer may not communicate ex parte with persons serving in

an official capacity in the proceeding, such as judges, masters or jurors, unless authorized to do so by law or court order.

[3] A lawyer may on occasion want to communicate with a juror or prospective juror after

the jury has been discharged. The lawyer may do so unless the communication is prohibited by law or a court order but must respect the desire of the juror not to talk with the

lawyer. The lawyer may not engage in improper conduct during the communication.

[4] The advocate's function is to present evidence and argument so that the cause may be

decided according to law. Refraining from abusive or obstreperous conduct is a corollary

of the advocate's right to speak on behalf of litigants. A lawyer may stand firm against

abuse by a judge but should avoid reciprocation; the judge's default is no justification for

similar dereliction by an advocate. An advocate can present the cause, protect the record

for subsequent review and preserve professional integrity by patient firmness no less

effectively than by belligerence or theatrics.

[5] The duty to refrain from disruptive conduct applies to any proceeding of a tribunal,

including a deposition. See Rule 1.0(m).