Opinion ID: 1124510
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Count 2: Political campaigning

Text: The Commission found that appellant publicly endorsed and campaigned on behalf of Robert Archie, a candidate for justice of the peace of the North Las Vegas Township, in violation of NCJC Canon 5(A)(1)(b). Our review of the record reveals that the evidence clearly and convincingly establishes that appellant publicly endorsed Archie for public office in violation of Canon 5(A)(1)(b). A videotape in evidence shows appellant approaching and knocking on the door of a house on Tonopah Street in North Las Vegas while wearing an Archie campaign shirt. The homeowner in question testified that she did not know appellant. Additionally, appellant was seen with a group of people going door-to-door and personally erecting campaign signs. Appellant explained, unconvincingly, that he merely walked his neighborhood with Archie, introducing Archie to people he knew. Clearly, he was doing more than just privately voicing his support for a candidate. Pursuant to ARJD 11(3), grounds for discipline include [a]ny acts or omissions in the performance of judicial or administrative duties which contravene express provisions of the [NCJC]. The NCJC proscribes conduct relating to both judicial activities and extra-judicial activities. Despite the ambiguity existing in ARJD 11(3) referring to acts or omissions in the performance of judicial or administrative duties, we interpret the rule to include extra-judicial activities proscribed under the NCJC. We therefore conclude that appellant's campaign activities violated ARJD 11(3).