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: Impropriety
Thanks But No Thanks

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?

Picture of Clerk Diego celebrating his nuptials with group.

 

Picture of attorney with the idea to buy the group drinks..

>A group of employees, judges and administrators are out together after work celebrating the marriage of a clerk. A local attorney sees the group and offers to buy everyone a round of drinks.

What should you do?

1. Accept the drinks graciously, but don't drink them.
2. The person coordinating the event can ask the establishment in advance to refuse all offers to purchase drinks that may come from any others outside the party.
3. Rudely refuse the drinks because accepting them could give the appearance of favoritism towards the attorney.