On February 12, 2007, the American Bar Association adopted a revised Model Code of Judicial Conduct based on the recommendations of the ABA Joint Commission to Evaluate the Model Code of Judicial Conduct.  For a copy of the revised model code, click here.  For an article published in the AJS publication Judicial Conduct Reporter that summarizes the major differences between the current model code and the proposed model rules, click here.  For an article  published in Judicature discussing the major revisions and the important and controversial changes, click here.

The revised model code as adopted includes a "friendly" amendment accepted by the Joint Commission that AJS had proposed regarding the appearance of impropriety standard.   For a copy of the AJS proposed amendments regarding the appearance of impropriety standard, click here.  Before the friendly amendment, the Conference of Chief Justices had voted to oppose any version of the revised model code that did not include the “appearance of impropriety” as a basis for disciplinary action.  Click here for a copy of the Chief Justices' resolution. Click here for a copy of the press release.  For an article on the appearance of impropriety standard, published in Judicature, click here.