Okla. Stat. tit. 5A, app 4, Terminology
In addition to the definitions found in the section on Terminology a candidate for judicial office should also carefully examine the Ethics Commission Rules found in Title 74, Chapter 62, Appendix, Title 257.
"Aggregate," in relation to contributions for a candidate, means not only contributions in cash or in kind made directly to a candidate's campaign committee, but also all contributions for a candidate made indirectly with the understanding that they will be used to support the election of the candidate or to oppose the election of the candidate's opponent. See Rules 2.11 and 4.4.
"Appropriate authority" means the authority having responsibility for initiation of disciplinary process in connection with the violation to be reported. See Rules 2.14 and 2.15.
"Contribution" shall have the same meaning as that provided for all elections in Oklahoma by the Rules of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission as amended or revised See Rules 2.11, 2.13, 3.1, 3.13, 3.7, 4.1, 4.3, and 4.4.
"De minimis," in the context of interests pertaining to disqualification of a judge, means an insignificant interest that could not raise a reasonable question regarding the judge's impartiality. See Rules 2.11 and 3.8.
"Economic interest" means ownership of more than a de minimis legal or equitable interest. Except for situations in which the judge participates in the management of such a legal or equitable interest, or the interest could be substantially affected by the outcome of a proceeding before a judge, it does not include:
See Rules 1.3, 2.11, 3.2, 3.8, and 3.13.
"Fiduciary" includes, but is not limited to, relationships such as executor, administrator, trustee, or guardian. See Rules 2.11, 3.2, and 3.8.
"Impartial," "impartiality," and "impartially" mean absence of bias or prejudice in favor of, or against, particular parties or classes of parties, as well as maintenance of an open mind in considering issues that may come before a judge. See Canons 1, 2, and 4, and Rules 1.2, 2.2, 2.6, 2.8, 2.10, 2.11, 2.13, 3.1, 3.6, 3.7, 3.13, 4.1, and 4.2.
"Impending matter" is a matter that is imminent or reasonably likely to occur in the near future. See Rules 2.9 and 3.2.
"Impropriety" includes conduct that violates the law, court rules, or provisions of this Code, and conduct that undermines a judge's independence, integrity, or impartiality. See Canon 1 and Rules 1.2, 3.6, and 3.13.
"Independence" means a judge's freedom from influence or controls other than those established by law. See Canons 1 and 4, and Rules 1.2, 2.7, 2.10, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.7, 3.12, 3.13, 3.14, 4.1, and 4.2.
"Integrity" means probity, fairness, honesty, uprightness, and soundness of character. See Canon 1 and 4, and Rules 1.2, 2.7, 2.10, 2.16, 3.1, 3.2, 3.6, 3.7, 3.12, 3.13, 3.14, 4.1, and 4.2.
"Judicial candidate" means any person, including a sitting judge, who is seeking selection for, or retention in, judicial office by election or appointment. A person becomes a candidate for judicial office as soon as he or she makes a public announcement of candidacy, declares or files as a candidate with the election or appointment authority, authorizes or, where permitted, engages in solicitation or acceptance of contributions or support, or is nominated for election or appointment to office. A Judicial candidate should also examine the definition of a candidate in the Rules of the Ethics Commission, Title 74 Oklahoma Statutes Chapter 62 - Appendix-Title 257: when filing for a judicial office. See Rules 2.11, 4.1, 4.2, and 4.4.
"Knowingly," "knowledge," known," and "knows" mean actual knowledge of the fact in question. A person's knowledge may be inferred from circumstances. See Rules 1.3, 2.9, 2.11, 2.15, 2.16, 3.2, 3.4, and 4.1.
"Law" encompasses court rules as well as statutes, constitutional provisions, and decisional law. See Rules 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.11, 2.13, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.7, 3.9, 3.10, 3.12, 3.13, 3.14, 3.15, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, and 4.5.
"Member of the candidate's family" means a spouse, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or other relative or person with whom the candidate maintains a close familial relationship.
"Member of the judge's family" means a spouse, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or other relative or person with whom the judge maintains a close familial relationship. See Rules 3.8, and 3.10.
"Member of the judge's household" means any person residing in the judge's home on a permanent basis regardless of the relationship of that person to the judge. See Rules 2.11, 2.13, 3.8, and 3.13.
"Member of the lawyer's household" means any person residing in the lawyer's home on a permanent basis regardless of the relationship of that person to the lawyer. See Rule 2.13(B)
"Nonpublic information" means information that is not available to the public. Nonpublic information may include, but is not limited to, information that is sealed by statute or court order or impounded or communicated in camera, and information offered in grand jury proceedings, presentencing reports, dependency cases, or psychiatric reports. See Rule 3.5.
"Pending matter" is a matter that has commenced. A matter continues to be pending through any appellate process until final disposition or if a court retains jurisdiction of the matter. See Rules 2.9 and 3.2.
"Personally solicit" means a direct request made by a judge or a judicial candidate for financial support or in-kind services, whether made by letter, telephone, or any other means of communication. See Rules 4.1 and 4.3.
"Political organization" means a political party or other group sponsored by or affiliated with a political party or candidate, the principal purpose of which is to further the election or appointment of candidates for political office. For purposes of this Code, the term does not include a judicial candidate's campaign committee created as authorized by Rule 4.4. See Rules 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3.
"Public election" includes primary and general elections, nonpartisan elections, and retention elections. See Rules 4.2 and 4.4.
"Rules of the Ethics Commission" means the Rules of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission found in Title 74 Oklahoma Statutes Chapter 62 - Appendix - Title 257, Ethics Commission as they are, and as they may be amended or revised. See Rule 3.12.
"Specialized Courts" means the various types of what are often referred to as "problem solving courts" such as drug courts, mental health courts and juvenile courts. See Application I Comment [3], Rule 2.9(A)(4) and Rule 2.9 Comment 4.
"Spouse" means an individual to whom a judge or judicial candidate is married. See Rules 2.11, 2.13, 3.13, and 3.14.
"Third degree of relationship" includes the following persons: great-grandparent, grandparent, parent, uncle, aunt, brother, sister, child, grandchild, great-grandchild, nephew, and niece. See Rules 2.11 and 2.13.
Okla. Stat. tit. 5A, app 4, Terminology