Rule 2.14. Disability and Impairment

Disability and Impairment A judge having a reasonable belief that the performance of a lawyer or another judge is impaired by drugs or alcohol or by a mental, emotional, or physical condition, shall take appropriate action, which may include notifying appropriate judicial authorities or a confidential referral to a lawyer or judicial assistance program. (Effective Jan. 1, 2011.) COMMENT: (1) ‘‘Appropriate action’’ means action intended and reasonably likely to help the judge or lawyer in question address the problem. Depending on the circumstances, appropriate action may include, but is not limited to, speaking directly to the impaired person, notifying an individual with supervisory responsibility over the impaired person, or making a referral to an assistance program. (2) Taking or initiating corrective action by way of notifying judicial administrators or referral to an assistance program may satisfy a judge’s responsibility under this Rule. Assistance programs have many approaches for offering help to impaired judges and lawyers, such as intervention, counseling, or referral to appropriate health care professionals. Depending on the gravity of the conduct that has come to the judge’s attention, however, the judge may be required to take other action, such as reporting the impaired judge or lawyer to the appropriate authority, agency, or body. See Rule 2.15. (3) A client security fund has been established to promote public confidence in the judicial system and the integrity of the legal profession by, among other things, a lawyers assistance program providing crisis intervention and referral assistance to attorneys admitted to the practice of law in this state who suffer from alcohol or other substance abuse problems or gambling problems or who have behavioral health problems. See Practice Book Section 2-68.