SDCL tit. 16, ch. 2, app A TO CHAPTER 16-2, canon 1

Current through the 2024 Legislative Session

Canon 1 - A Judge Shall Uphold the Integrity, Impartiality and Independence of the Judiciary

A. An independent and honorable judiciary is indispensable to justice in our society. A judge should participate in establishing, maintaining and enforcing high standards of conduct, and shall personally observe those standards so that the integrity, impartiality * and independence of the judiciary will be preserved. The provisions of this Code are to be construed and applied to further that objective.

COMMENTARY

Deference to the judgments and rulings of courts depends upon public confidence in the integrity, impartiality and independence of judges. The integrity, impartiality and independence of judges depends in turn upon their acting without fear or favor. A judiciary of integrity is one in which judges are known for their probity, fairness, honesty, uprightness, and soundness of character. An independent judiciary is one free of inappropriate outside influences. Although judges should be independent, they must comply with the law, including the provisions of this Code. Public confidence in the impartiality of the judiciary is maintained by the adherence of each judge to this responsibility. Conversely, violation of this Code diminishes public confidence in the judiciary and thereby does injury to the system of government under law.

SDCL tit. 16, ch. 2, app A TO CHAPTER 16-2, canon 1

SL 1993, ch 398 (Supreme Court Rule 93-15), eff. July 1, 1993; SL 2006, ch 274 (Supreme Court Rule 05-13), eff. Jan. 1, 2006.