Guideline for Tenet Three

PROFESSIONALISM

Employment in the court system is a public trust engendered by the citizens' confidence in the professional knowledge and competency and personal integrity of the officers and employees of the judicial branch. A professional knows every aspect of his or her job and can provide complete, understandable answers to the public's questions. A professional presents a businesslike image of methodical and systematic efficiency and does not abuse the position of power that special knowledge affords. A professional never criticizes a co-worker in public or denigrates a customer at the counter. A professional raises conflict resolution to an art form, always seeking to preserve the dignity of the individuals involved in a dispute, thereby preserving the dignity of the court. The word "respect" is never far from the professional's mind.