Opinion ID: 1928032
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Improper Solicitations

Text: The Code of Judicial Conduct is intended to establish standards for ethical conduct of judges. It consists of broad statements called Canons [and] specific rules set forth in Sections under each Canon. Preamble, Code of Judicial Conduct. Upon completion of the hearings, the commission found that petitioner had engaged in improper solicitation of funds on behalf of various organizations with which petitioner was involved, in violation of Canons 2B, 4C(3)(b)(i), 4C(3)(b)(iv), and 4D(1)(a). The relevant portions of the respective canons read as follows: Canon 2. A Judge Shall Avoid Impropriety and the Appearance of Impropriety in all of the Judge's Activities.    B. A judge shall not allow family, social, political or other relationships to influence the judge's judicial conduct or judgment. A judge shall not lend the prestige of judicial office to advance the private interests of the judge or others; nor shall a judge convey or permit others to convey the impression that they are in a special position to influence the judge. Canon 4. A Judge Shall So Conduct the Judge's Extra-Judicial Activities as to Minimize the Risk of Conflict with Judicial Obligations.    C. Governmental, Civic or Charitable Activities.    3. A judge may serve as an officer, director, trustee or non-legal advisor of an organization or governmental agency devoted to the improvement of the law, the legal system or the administration of justice or of an educational, religious, charitable, fraternal or civic organization not conducted for profit, subject to the following limitations and the other requirements of this Code.    (b) A judge as an officer, director, trustee or non-legal advisor, or as a member or otherwise: (i) may assist such an organization in planning fund-raising and may participate in the management and investment of the organization's funds, but shall not personally participate in the solicitation of funds or other fund-raising activities, except that a judge may solicit funds from other judges over whom the judge does not exercise supervisory or appellate authority;