Opinion ID: 2010388
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Political activities.

Text: The strength of our judicial system is due in large part to its independence and neutrality. See Charles W. Wolfram, Modern Legal Ethics § 17.5.1, at 980 (1986) [hereinafter Wolfram]. These twin qualities help remove outside influences from judicial decision-making, and promote public respect and confidence in our system of justice. Yet, judicial independence does not come without some personal sacrifice by judges. Judicial independence and neutrality require judges to limit or abstain from involvement in a variety of activities commonly enjoyed by others in the community, including politics. [1] See id. Thus, beyond voting, judges must generally eschew most political connections. Id. § 17.5.4, at 986. The only exceptions in Iowa are political activities geared toward improving the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice, and some limited activities by judges in response to active opposition in their own retention elections. See Canon 7(A)(3), 7(B)(2). Canon 7(A) of the judicial code prohibits other political activities by judges, as a means to help maintain an independent judiciary and public respect and confidence in it. See Wolfram, § 17.5.4, at 986-87. Under Canon 7(A)(1)(b) and (3), a judge may not publicly endorse a candidate for public office or engage in any other common political activities. Thus, a judge who allows a candidate for public office to place a sign in support of the candidate outside the judge's home publicly endorses a candidate for public office and engages in a prohibited political activity. [2] Judge McCormick clearly violated Canon 7. This activity also violated Canon 2(B). A judge lends the prestige of his or her office to advance the private interests of others by publicly endorsing a candidate for a public office. See Canon 2(B).