WA · rules
Wash. Code Jud. Conduct pmbl.
Preamble
Washington State Code of Judicial Conduct (CJC)
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 judges 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 this Code 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 Washington State Code of Judicial Conduct establishes standards for the ethical
conduct of judges and judicial candidates. It is not intended as an exhaustive guide. 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 the
Commission on Judicial Conduct.
History
[Adopted effective January 1, 2011; Amended effective August 8, 2023.]
Provenance
- Source
- www.courts.wa.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-16
- Edition
- 2026-09-16
- Content hash
d78873d80049ec131152f5a604b7fbf20b1499d150c44e1fb991b39d284edf4b
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