Comment Sought on Two Draft Judicial Ethics Advisory Opinions

October 3, 2013

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Comment Sought on Two Draft Judicial Ethics Advisory Opinions

Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions invites comment on draft opinions providing guidance on disqualification for campaign contributions and disclosures that are not recorded or reported

SAN FRANCISCO—The California Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions invites the public to comment on two draft judicial ethics advisory opinions. One draft opinion answers questions posed to the committee about the disqualification requirements for judges who have received aggregated or law firm campaign contributions that exceed $1,500. The second draft opinion discusses how judges can ensure that disclosures are made on the record when there is no court reporter or electronic recording of the proceedings. Both draft opinions provide guidance under the California Code of Judicial Ethics, which establishes standards for ethical conduct for state judges on and off the bench and for candidates for judicial office.

The draft opinions are posted on the committee’s website at http://www.JudicialEthicsOpinions.ca.gov/itc.  The deadline for comment is November 15, 2013.

After considering the public’s comments on both draft opinions, the committee will decide whether or not to publish opinions in final form. Comments are due by November 15, 2013, and may be submitted in any of the following ways:

• Online at http://www.JudicialEthicsOpinions.ca.gov/itc;
• By email to Judicial.Ethics@jud.ca.gov; or
• By mailing comments to Ms. Nancy Black, Committee Counsel, The California Supreme Court Committee on Judicial
Ethics Opinions, 350 McAllister Street, San Francisco, California 94102.

CJEO is an independent committee appointed by the Supreme Court to help inform the judiciary and the public concerning judicial ethics topics. CJEO was established as part of the court’s constitutional responsibility to guide the conduct of judges and judicial candidates (Cal. Const., art. VI, § 18, subd. (m)). In making appointments to serve on CJEO, the court selects members of the bench with a strong background in judicial ethics and diverse courtroom experience. The current twelve CJEO members are justices, judges, a commissioner, and a retired bench officer who have served in courts of various sizes throughout the state.  

CJEO publishes formal opinions, issues confidential informal opinions, and provides oral advice on proper judicial conduct pursuant to the California Code of Judicial Ethics and other authorities (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.80(e)(1)). CJEO acts independently of the Supreme Court, the Commission on Judicial Performance, the Judicial Council, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and all other entities (rule 9.80(b)).

For more information about CJEO, visit the CJEO website and view the members’ page, call toll-free at 1 855-854-5366, or email Judicial.Ethics@jud.ca.gov.