An Administrative Law Judge Shall Uphold the Integrity and Independence of the Administrative Judiciary.
An independent and honorable administrative judiciary is indispensable to justice in our society. An administrative law judge shall participate in establishing, maintaining, and enforcing high standards of conduct, and shall personally observe those standards so that the integrity and independence of the administrative judiciary will be preserved.
COMMENTARY - Canon 1.
Deference to the judgments and rulings of administrative agencies depends upon public confidence in the integrity and independence of judges. The integrity and independence of judges depends in turn upon their acting without fear or favor. Although judges should be independent, they must comply with the law, including the provisions of this code. Public confidence in the impartiality of the administrative judiciary is maintained by the adherence of each judge to this responsibility. Conversely, a violation of this code diminishes public confidence in the administrative judiciary and thereby does injury to the system of government under law.