Honor Code

Introduction

Honor is essential to achieving the purpose of our system of justice, the protection of freedom and individual human rights. Without honor, the concept of justice would be artificial, and our freedom and rights illusory. However, honor is not a tangible object to be worn as visible evidence of one’s integrity. Nor can the presence of honor be established by words alone. Honor makes its presence known through the actions of honorable people. Those who practice law act as sentinels to protect our system of justice, and can only succeed if they are, first and foremost, honorable. 

Success in law school does not flow from high class rank or GPA but from doing what is right. The attribute of honor is what distinguishes great attorneys from those who cannot rise above themselves and what elevates legal practice from being an interesting job into a noble profession. 

Every privilege carries with it an attendant responsibility, and the privilege of practicing law on behalf of the public is no different. To enjoy the privilege of entering into a noble and honorable profession, we are obligated to take on the responsibility of maintaining its nobility and honor. The first step toward living up to that responsibility is to ensure that we practice personal honor and integrity by following the rules of the profession. 

As stated in the Preface to the Code of Professional Responsibility, “the Ethical Considerations are aspirational in character and represent the objectives toward which every member of the profession should strive.” Code of Professional Responsibility Preface (1970). The Honor Code of the University of Dayton School of Law is designed to achieve these objectives by serving as the outward sign of our inward value of justice and honor. 

Table of Contents

Article I: Code of Conduct

Article II: The Honor Council

Article III: Honor Council Proceedings

Article IV: Code Violations: Preliminary Investigative Procedure

Article V: Code Violations: Hearing Procedure

Article VI: Miscellaneous

Article VII: Process for Amending the Honor Code

Updated March 23, 2015