Haw. Code. Jud. Cond. 4.5

As amended through September 30, 2024

Rule 4.5 - Activities of Judges Who Become Candidates for Nonjudicial Office

(a) Upon becoming a candidate for a nonjudicial elective office, a judge shall resign from judicial office, unless permitted by law* to continue to hold judicial office.

(b) Upon nomination for a nonjudicial appointive office, a judge shall resign from judicial office.

Code Comparison

The Hawai'i Revised Code of Judicial Conduct modifies ABA Model Code Rule 4.5(B) 's provision that allows a judge to remain in office upon becoming a candidate for nonjudicial appointive office.

Haw. Code. Jud. Cond. 4.5

COMMENT:

[1] In campaigns for nonjudicial elective public office, candidates may make pledges, promises, or commitments related to positions they would take and ways they would act if elected to office. Although appropriate in nonjudicial campaigns, this manner of campaigning is inconsistent with the role of a judge, who must remain fair and impartial to all who come before him or her. The potential for misuse of the judicial office and the political promises that the judge would be compelled to make in the course of campaigning for nonjudicial elective office, together, dictate that a judge who wishes to run for such an office must resign upon becoming a candidate.

[2] The "resign to run" rule set forth in paragraph (a) ensures that a judge cannot use the judicial office to promote his or her candidacy and prevents post-campaign retaliation from the judge in the event the judge is defeated in the election.

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