Case Name: JUDICIAL ETHICS OPINION 2004-3
Court: Oklahoma Judicial Ethics Advisory Panel
Jurisdiction: Oklahoma
Decision Date: 2004-10-27
Citations: 99 P.3d 1234
Docket Number: No. 2004-3
Parties: JUDICIAL ETHICS OPINION 2004-3.
Judges: 
Reporter: Pacific Reporter 3d
Volume: 99
Pages: 1234–1234

Head Matter:
2004 OK JUD ETH 3
JUDICIAL ETHICS OPINION 2004-3.
No. 2004-3.
Oklahoma Judicial Ethics Advisory Panel.
Oct. 27, 2004.

Opinion:
QUESTION: May a judge charge a reasonable fee for performing a wedding after court hours outside of the courthouse?
ANSWER: No
DISCUSSION:
Canon 4 D. Financial Activities.
(1) A judge should not engage in financial dealings that:
(a) may reasonably be perceived to exploit the judge's judicial position, or ."
Personal retention of payment for performing a marriage is an exploitation of judicial office for personal gain. But for the judge's judicial status, the judge would not have the legal capacity to perform a legally binding marriage ceremony.
/s/ Robert L. Bailey, Chairman
/s/ Robert D. Simms, Viee Chairman
/s/ Milton C. Craig, Secretary