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: Prohibition Against Giving Legal Advice
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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?

You chose:
2. Try to stop the conversation as soon as you recognize what is going on, pull the defendant aside, and give her the name of an attorney you know.Don't recommend specific lawyers.

That is not the best option. Giving the defendant the name of an attorney you know shows favoritism to a private provider of legal-related services and is an abuse of power for private gain. The best way to handle this situation is to try to stop the conversation as soon as you recognize what is going on, pull the clerk aside, and inform her that her actions are inappropriate and illegal. Or, step in and explain the defendant's options to her without suggesting what course to take.

Please pick another Principle.