Failure to Adjust to Ethical Feedback

Failure to Adjust to Ethical Feedback occurs when a judge, after being counseled, admonished, or otherwise made aware of conduct inconsistent with judicial standards, refuses or neglects to correct the behavior. This offense reflects a disregard for the corrective purpose of oversight and demonstrates an unwillingness to conform to the ethical obligations of judicial office. Persisting in misconduct after notice aggravates the underlying violation and calls into question the judge’s fitness to continue serving.

Key Features:

• Repeated Misconduct: Continuation of the same behavior after formal or informal warnings, training, or discipline.

• Resistance to Oversight: Dismissing, ignoring, or retaliating against those providing corrective feedback.

• Aggravating Factor: Transforms otherwise minor or correctable lapses into serious violations.

• Pattern of Disregard: Demonstrates unwillingness to uphold ethical obligations or improve professional conduct.

• Erosion of Public Trust: Suggests that judicial accountability mechanisms are ineffective, undermining public confidence in the judiciary.

Illustrative Example:
A judge repeatedly berates attorneys in open court despite prior admonishment for improper demeanor, or continues ex parte communications after formal ethics training addressing the issue.