A municipal judge may voluntarily testify for someone else as a character witness.

• A. True
• B. Possibly allowed in limited circumstances
• C. False
• D. Not specified

Answer: (C)

A municipal judge must remain neutral and not serve as a witness in cases they oversee. Voluntarily testifying for someone as a character witness would put the judge on one side of the matter, creating an appearance of partiality and potentially violating ethical rules that require judges to avoid testifying in proceedings they preside over. The judge’s role is to evaluate evidence presented in court, not to advocate for a party. If information is relevant, the appropriate action is to recuse from the case or allow the evidence to be presented by other witnesses; a judge should not provide character testimony for a party.