PASCAL F. CALOGERO, Jr., Chief Justice.
Acting in accordance with Article V, Sections 1 and 5 of the 1974 Louisiana Constitution, and the inherent power of this Court, and considering the recommendations of the Advisory Committee to the Supreme Court for Revision of the Code of Judicial Conduct,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED THAT:
Part I. Canon 2A of the Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct be and is hereby amended to add a second paragraph, to read as follows:
A. A judge shall respect and comply with the law and shall act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.
As used in this Code, "impartiality" or "impartial" denotes absence of bias or prejudice in favor of, or against, particular parties or classes of parties, as well as maintaining an open mind in considering issues that may come before the judge.
Part II. Canon 3A(8) of the Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct be and is hereby amended to read as follows:
A. Adjudicative Responsibilities.
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(8) A judge shall not, while a proceeding is pending in any Louisiana state court, make any public comment that might reasonably be
expected to affect its outcome or impair its fairness, and shall require similar abstention on the part of court personnel subject to his or her direction and control. This subsection does not prohibit judges from making public statements in the course of their official duties or from explaining for public information the procedures of the court.
Part III. Canon 3A(10) of the Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct be and is hereby enacted to read as follows:
(10) A judge shall not, with respect to cases, controversies or issues that are likely to come before the court, make pledges, promises or commitments that are inconsistent with the impartial performance of the adjudicative duties of the office.
Part IV. Canon 7B(1)(a) and (d) of the Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct be and are hereby amended to read as follows:
B. Campaign Conduct.
(1) A judge or judicial candidate:
(a) shall maintain the dignity appropriate to judicial office and act in a manner consistent with the impartiality, integrity and independence of the judiciary, and should encourage the members of the candidate's family to adhere to the same standards of political conduct in support
of the candidate as apply to the candidate;
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(d) shall not:
(i) with respect to cases, controversies, or issues that are likely to come before the court, make pledges, promises or commitments that are inconsistent with the impartial performance of the adjudicative duties of the office;
(ii) knowingly make, or cause to be made, a false statement concerning the identity, qualifications, present position or other fact concerning the candidate or an opponent; or
(iii) while a proceeding is pending in any Louisiana state court, make any public comment that might reasonably be expected to affect its outcome or impair its fairness.
These rule changes shall become effective on February 1, 2005 and shall remain in full force and effect thereafter until amended or changed through future orders of this Court.