# Ga. Code Jud. Conduct R. 1.2: Rule 1.2. Promoting Public Confidence in the Judiciary

> Georgia · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_GA_CJC_R1_2

## Section

- **Citation:** Ga. Code Jud. Conduct R. 1.2
- **Heading:** Rule 1.2. Promoting Public Confidence in the Judiciary
- **Jurisdiction:** Georgia
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Georgia Rules of Court / Conduct and Discipline / Georgia Code of Judicial Conduct / Ga. Code Jud. Conduct R. 1.2

## Text

(A) Judges shall act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence
in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary.

(B) An independent and honorable judiciary is indispensable to justice in our
society. Judges shall participate in establishing, maintaining, and enforcing
high standards of conduct, and shall personally observe such standards of
conduct so that the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary
may be preserved. The provisions of this Code should be construed and
applied to further that objective.

Commentary:
[1] Deference to the judgments and rulings of courts depends upon
public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of judges.
The independence, integrity, and impartiality of judges depends in turn upon
their acting without fear or favor. Although judges should be independent,
they shall 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.
[2] Public confidence in the judiciary is eroded by irresponsible or
improper conduct of judges. Judges must avoid all impropriety and
appearance of impropriety. Judges must expect to be the subject of constant
public scrutiny. Judges must therefore accept restrictions on their conduct that
might be viewed as burdensome by the ordinary citizen, and they should do so
freely and willingly.
[3] The prohibition against behaving with impropriety or the
appearance of impropriety applies to both the professional and personal
conduct of a judge. Because it is not practicable to list all prohibited acts, the
proscription is necessarily cast in general terms that extend to conduct by
judges that is harmful although not specifically mentioned in the Code
uld do so
freely and willingly.
[3] The prohibition against behaving with impropriety or the
appearance of impropriety applies to both the professional and personal
conduct of a judge. Because it is not practicable to list all prohibited acts, the
proscription is necessarily cast in general terms that extend to conduct by
judges that is harmful although not specifically mentioned in the Code. Actual
improprieties under this standard include violations of law, court rules, or
other specific provisions of this Code. The test for appearance of impropriety
is whether the conduct would create in reasonable minds a perception that the
judge’s ability to carry out judicial responsibilities with integrity, impartiality,
and competence is impaired. See also Rule 3.6.
[4] Judges are allowed to participate in activities that promote ethical
conduct among judges and lawyers, support professionalism within the
judiciary and the legal profession, and promote access to justice for all.
[5] Judges are allowed to initiate and participate in community outreach
activities for the purpose of promoting public understanding of and confidence
in the administration of justice. When engaging in such activities, judges must
act in a manner consistent with this Code.

## Nearby sections

- [Ga. Code Jud. Conduct R. 1.1 Rule 1.1. Complying With the Law](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_GA_CJC_R1_1.md)
- [Ga. Code Jud. Conduct R. 1.2 Rule 1.2. Promoting Public Confidence in the Judiciary](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_GA_CJC_R1_2.md)
- [Ga. Code Jud. Conduct R. 1.3 Rule 1.3. Respecting the Prestige of Judicial Office](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_GA_CJC_R1_3.md)
- [Ga. Code Jud. Conduct R. 2.1 Rule 2.1. Giving Priority to Judicial Duties in General](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_GA_CJC_R2_1.md)
- [Ga. Code Jud. Conduct R. 2.2 Rule 2.2. Impartiality and Fairness](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_GA_CJC_R2_2.md)
- [Ga. Code Jud. Conduct R. 2.3 Rule 2.3. Bias, Prejudice, and Harassment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_GA_CJC_R2_3.md)
- [Ga. Code Jud. Conduct R. 2.4 Rule 2.4. External Influences on Judicial Conduct](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_GA_CJC_R2_4.md)
- [Ga. Code Jud. Conduct R. 2.5 Rule 2.5. Performing Administrative Responsibilities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_GA_CJC_R2_5.md)
- [Ga. Code Jud. Conduct R. 2.6 Rule 2.6. Ensuring the Right to Be Heard](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_GA_CJC_R2_6.md)
- [Ga. Code Jud. Conduct R. 2.7 Rule 2.7. Responsibility to Decide](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_GA_CJC_R2_7.md)
- [Ga. Code Jud. Conduct R. 2.8 Rule 2.8. Adjudicating Pending Proceedings Fairly](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_GA_CJC_R2_8.md)
- [Ga. Code Jud. Conduct R. 2.9 Rule 2.9. Assuring Fair Hearings and Averting Ex Parte](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_GA_CJC_R2_9.md)
- [Ga. Code Jud. Conduct R. 2.10 Rule 2.10. Judicial Statements on Pending Proceedings and](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_GA_CJC_R2_10.md)
- [Ga. Code Jud. Conduct R. 2.11 Rule 2.11. Disqualification and Recusal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_GA_CJC_R2_11.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_GA_CJC_R1_2. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.