New Mexico Judicial Education Center JEC Home
Court Staff Orientation
Understanding the Court System | Knowing the Rules | Doing the Job | Getting Help
Ethics for Clerks
Knowing the Rules: Ethics for Clerks: Confidentiality
Faithful Friend

Principles
1. Impartiality
2. Personal Integrity
3. Professionalism
4. Confidentiality
5. Impropriety
6. Appearance of Impropriety
7. Prohibition Against Giving Legal Advice
8. Duty of Service
9. Competency
10. Discrimination
11. Harassment
12. Technology

Resources
California Code of Ethics
Personnel Rules
What Information Can Court Staff Provide?

Note saying "Dear Tenant, GET OUT!!!"A friend of yours tells you she has received an eviction notice from her landlord because she hasn't paid all her rent. She has withheld part of her rent because the landlord has failed to make repairs to her heating system. You recognize the landlord as one who has had a number of prior complaints like this. You offer to research court files for those complaints so she can tell the judge about them when she goes to court.

Which is true?

1. Because the landlord's actions are wrong, you may exercise your rights as a private citizen to research the court files for information that will help prove his misdeeds.
2. You may only advise your friend to speak with an attorney if she wants to fight the eviction.
3. You may not advise your friend to seek an attorney because that would be dispensing legal advise, which you are not allowed to do.