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Ethics for Clerks
Knowing the Rules: Ethics for Clerks
Competency

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?

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Guidelines
Court employees are encouraged to participate in professional activities and associations, and especially to take advantage of internal and external educational programs to improve their personal and professional skills. The laws and rules under which the courts operate are continually changing as a result of legislative actions, higher court decisions, and evolving values and technologies. Courts and their employees must perform efficiently despite this constant state of flux. Professional development may include attending classes, doing outside reading, participating in professional organizations, and soliciting ideas and information from others both during and after the workday. Court managers at all levels of the court system should initiate and encourage attendance of employees at training programs.

References

Personnel Rule:
Rule 9.05 C (3) b authorizes discipline of employees for “just cause.”
Glossary of Terms in Personnel Rules for the definitions of “just cause”:
3: performing assigned duties in an inefficient, incompetent or negligent manner;
4: failing or refusing to perform job requirements satisfactorily.