Judicial Ethics Committee Opinions - 1998

• 98-1

  Does the issuance of a protection order in which the signing judge has ex parte contact with the petitioner, either in person, by affidavit, or both, give rise to a conflict of interest such that the signing judge should recuse himself/herself from hearing further matters regarding either the same petitioner and/or the respondent, if any criminal or civil matters ensue?

• 98-2

  May a clerk magistrate serve on the board of directors of a bank?

• 98-3

  May a judge's staff engage in political activity with respect to local elections?

• 98-4

  May a judge write a letter of support for a funding grant on behalf of an agency providing support and assistance for the victims of crimes? Is the answer different if the agency is a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) agency?

• 98-5

  May members of a judge's spouse's law firm practice before the judge? When must the judge recuse from cases involving former clients or clients of a previous employer?

• 98-6

  May a clerk magistrate hear or act on cases of a law firm that employs the clerk magistrate's wife in the capacity of an office manager and bookkeeper? If a conflict exists, what, if any, conditions would be available to continue her employment?