Title: In Re Code of Judicial Conduct.
Citation: 659 So. 2d 692
Docket Number: 81685
State: Florida
Issuer: Florida Supreme Court
Date: August 24, 1995

659 So. 2d 692 (1995)
IN RE CODE OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT.
No. 81685.

Supreme Court of Florida.
August 24, 1995.
Ronald M. Friedman, Circuit Court Judge, Miami, for petitioner.
OVERTON, Justice.
This Court, on its own motion and on the petition of Ronald M. Friedman, hereby amends Canon 7C(1) of the Code of Judicial Conduct to eliminate the sentence which directs that a candidate for election to a judicial position shall not expend funds, solicit contributions, seek public support, or establish a committee earlier than one year before the general election. That part of Canon 7C(1) has been enjoined by the final judgment entered in Zeller v. The Florida Bar, No. TCA 95-40073-MMP (N.D.Fla. June 16, 1995). We hereby amend Canon 7C(1) as follows:
The commentary to Canon 7C is amended as follows:
*693 Canon 7C. Although Chapter 106, Florida Statutes, does not address when campaign accounts may be established or campaign solicitations may begin, the time limitation in Section 7C(1) is consistent with the goals of the canons in maintaining the integrity of the judiciary. The term "limited campaign activities" is not intended to permit the use of common forms of campaign advertisement which include, but are not limited to, billboards, bumperstickers, media commercials, newspaper advertisements, signs, etc. Informational brochures about the merit retention system, the law, the legal system or the administration of justice, and neutral, factual biographical sketches of the candidates do not violate this provision.
Active opposition is difficult to define but is intended to include any form of organized public opposition or an unfavorable vote on a bar poll. Any political activity engaged in by members of a judge's family should be conducted in the name of the individual family member, entirely independent of the judge and without reference to the judge or to the judge's office.
In addition, the Court, on its own motion, and in part because of opinion 95-20, Committee on Standards of Conduct Governing Judges (June 14, 1995), finds it appropriate to further clarify disqualification requirements under Canon 3(E) by amending the commentary to Canon 3E(1) as follows:
These amendments to the commentary shall be effective upon the filing of this opinion.
It is so ordered.
GRIMES, C.J., and SHAW, KOGAN, HARDING, WELLS and ANSTEAD, JJ., concur.