1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

As your constituent, I urge you to support House Bill 1234 to establish a clear, enforceable code of ethics for members of the North Carolina Supreme Court. Transparent, enforceable ethics rules for the judiciary are foundational to public confidence in our courts. HB 1234 would require justices to recuse themselves where a personal or financial interest exists and to disclose sales of financial assets, outside income, and sponsored travel — sensible safeguards that align with standards used in many jurisdictions and in other branches of government. Requiring recusal when a justice, their spouse, or close family member is a party, lawyer, witness, or holds a significant interest prevents even the appearance of partiality and protects the impartial administration of justice. The amendment’s rule that justices must step aside from cases challenging laws they sponsored while serving in the General Assembly addresses a concrete conflict many citizens would find obvious: a justice should not rule on the constitutionality of legislation they personally authored or championed. This provision would help avoid situations in which judicial decisionmaking could be perceived as advancing prior political commitments rather than applying neutral legal judgment. Mandatory disclosure of asset sales, outside income, and sponsored travel brings necessary transparency to the highest court in the state. Financial and travel disclosures deter conflicts, enable timely recusals, and allow the public to hold justices to consistent ethical standards. Where gaps in disclosure exist, questions can fester and erode trust; this amendment would close those gaps. HB 1234 is not about targeting individuals but about creating uniform, constitutional norms that apply to every current and future justice. Instituting these safeguards protects the Court’s integrity, reduces opportunities for real or perceived conflicts, and strengthens public faith in impartial adjudication. Courts depend on legitimacy as much as legal authority; predictable, well-defined ethics rules are a direct way to bolster both. For the health of our judiciary and the confidence of North Carolinians, please pass House Bill 1234. Establishing clear, uniform constitutional ethics requirements for Supreme Court justices is a modest, necessary reform to preserve fairness and public trust.