Impartiality and Fairness

A judge shall uphold and apply the law* and shall perform all duties of judicial office fairly and impartially. Comments [1] To ensure impartiality and fairness to all parties, a judge must be objective and open-minded. [2] Although each judge comes to the bench with a unique background and personal philosophy, a judge must interpret and apply the law without regard to whether the judge approves or disapproves of the law in question. [3] Good-faith errors of fact or law do not violate this Rule. [4] It is not a violation of this Rule for a judge to make reasonable accommodations, consistent with the law and court rules, to ensure pro se litigants the opportunity to have their matters fairly heard.