Statutes, codes, and regulations
Washington Court Rules
Washington State Code of Judicial Conduct
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
Rule 3.3 - Acting As A Character Witness

Wash. Code. Jud. Cond. 3.3

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As amended through July 11, 2024
Rule 3.3 - Acting As A Character Witness

A judge shall not act as a character witness in a judicial, administrative, or other adjudicatory proceeding or otherwise vouch for the character of a person in a legal proceeding, except when duly summoned.

Wash. Code. Jud. Cond. 3.3

Comments

[1] A judge who, without being subpoenaed, acts as a character witness abuses the prestige of judicial office to advance the interests of another. See Rule 1.3. Except in unusual circumstances where the demands of justice require, a judge should discourage a party from requiring the judge to act as a character witness.

[2] This rule does not prohibit judges from writing letters of recommendation in nonadjudicative proceedings pursuant to Rule 1.3 comments [2] and [3].