Case Name: JUDICIAL ETHICS OPINION 1998-12
Court: Oklahoma Judicial Ethics Advisory Panel
Jurisdiction: Oklahoma
Decision Date: 1998-08-14
Citations: 86 P.3d 654
Docket Number: No. 1998-12
Parties: JUDICIAL ETHICS OPINION 1998-12.
Judges: 
Reporter: Pacific Reporter 3d
Volume: 86
Pages: 654–654

Head Matter:
1998 OK JUD ETH 12
JUDICIAL ETHICS OPINION 1998-12.
No. 1998-12.
Oklahoma Judicial Ethics Advisory Panel.
Decided Aug. 14, 1998.
Filed: Sept. 4, 1998.

Opinion:
QUESTION: May a candidate for State judicial office, who is not a Judge of that particular office (for example: a sitting Municipal Judge, sitting Special Judge, or Associate Judge running for District Judge), use campaign literature referring to him/herself as "Judge," as in "elect Judge J. Doe"?
WE ANSWER: YES. WITH QUALIFICATIONS.
Canon 5(A): "... (3) A candidate for judicial office: (d) should not . (iii) knowingly misrepresent the identity, qualifications, present position or other fact concerning the candidate or an opponent
A judicial candidate may advise the electorate of his/her present title and position. If the judicial candidate is presently a Judge not a retired Judge, not a former Judge — he or she may so state.
If a candidate refers to him/herself as Judge in any campaign literature or material, the present judicial position must be made clear. The judicial candidate who refers to him/herself as Judge must make it clear that the candidate is not an incumbent of the office sought.
The reservation in our answer concerns the possibility or likelihood of misrepresentation: That the electorate may receive the impression the judicial candidate is an incumbent. That is a misrepresentation prohibited by a strict interpretation of the Canons.
/s/ Robert L. Bailey, Chairman
/s/ Robert A. Layden, Vice Chairman
/s/ Milton C. Craig, Secretary