CSAM Exam 1 2026/2027 – The Must-Have Study
Guide for High Scores! Graded A+
Cannon 1: indepence, impartiality, integrity and avoid impropriety - "What you do"
- a judge shall uphold and promote the independence. integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary and
shall avoid impropriety, and the appearance of impropriety
- the core principle is that your actions- both professional and person- reflect on the judiciary and the
publics perception of the judiciary and its functions. Therefore, court staff should adhere to the four
"I's"- Independence, Integrity, Impartiality, and avoid Impropriety
Cannon 2: perform duties impartially, competently, dilligently, avoid bias, discrimination, and ex-
parte communication - "How you do it"
- a Judge shall perform duties of judicial office impartially, completely, and diligently
- the core principles of this cannon are lack bias, promptness, and discretion
- Rules 2.3 states a judge shall perform the duties of judicial office without bias and prejudice
- Rule 2.5 (a) states a judge shall perform duties competently, diligently, and promptly (B) states a
judge shall cooperate with other judges and court officials in the administration of court business
- Rule 2.8 (a) states Judge shall require order and decorum in proceeding before Court; (B) judge shall
be patient, dignified, and courteous to litigants, jurors, witnesses, lawyers, court staff, court officials,
and other whom the Judge deals with in a official capacity and shall require similar conduct of
lawyers, court staff, court officials, and other subject to the judges discretion and control; (C) a judge
shall not commend or criticize jurors for their verdict other than in a Court order or opinion in a
proceeding
- Rule 2.9 states a judge shall not initiate, permit, or consider exparte communications or consider
other communications made the the judge outside the presence of the parties or the lawyers,
concerning a pending or impending matter
Ex parte communications means - any communication "on behalf of or involving one party to a legal
matter" that is "conducted in the absence of or without notice to the other party"
- this includes letters, emails, verbal communication, google and web searches, inappropriate
assistance to one party (in Re krems, 774 N.E. 2d 878 (Ind. 2002)).
Exemptions to ex parte communication is - written advice of a disinterested expert, consultations
with Court staff, other judges, and officials whose function is to aid the Judge in adjudicative
responsibilities.
- settlement conferences, when authorized by law
Guide for High Scores! Graded A+
Cannon 1: indepence, impartiality, integrity and avoid impropriety - "What you do"
- a judge shall uphold and promote the independence. integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary and
shall avoid impropriety, and the appearance of impropriety
- the core principle is that your actions- both professional and person- reflect on the judiciary and the
publics perception of the judiciary and its functions. Therefore, court staff should adhere to the four
"I's"- Independence, Integrity, Impartiality, and avoid Impropriety
Cannon 2: perform duties impartially, competently, dilligently, avoid bias, discrimination, and ex-
parte communication - "How you do it"
- a Judge shall perform duties of judicial office impartially, completely, and diligently
- the core principles of this cannon are lack bias, promptness, and discretion
- Rules 2.3 states a judge shall perform the duties of judicial office without bias and prejudice
- Rule 2.5 (a) states a judge shall perform duties competently, diligently, and promptly (B) states a
judge shall cooperate with other judges and court officials in the administration of court business
- Rule 2.8 (a) states Judge shall require order and decorum in proceeding before Court; (B) judge shall
be patient, dignified, and courteous to litigants, jurors, witnesses, lawyers, court staff, court officials,
and other whom the Judge deals with in a official capacity and shall require similar conduct of
lawyers, court staff, court officials, and other subject to the judges discretion and control; (C) a judge
shall not commend or criticize jurors for their verdict other than in a Court order or opinion in a
proceeding
- Rule 2.9 states a judge shall not initiate, permit, or consider exparte communications or consider
other communications made the the judge outside the presence of the parties or the lawyers,
concerning a pending or impending matter
Ex parte communications means - any communication "on behalf of or involving one party to a legal
matter" that is "conducted in the absence of or without notice to the other party"
- this includes letters, emails, verbal communication, google and web searches, inappropriate
assistance to one party (in Re krems, 774 N.E. 2d 878 (Ind. 2002)).
Exemptions to ex parte communication is - written advice of a disinterested expert, consultations
with Court staff, other judges, and officials whose function is to aid the Judge in adjudicative
responsibilities.
- settlement conferences, when authorized by law
