STATE OF WASHINGTON
ETHICS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
OPINION NO. 91-24

Question
     Under what circumstances and in what manner may a judicial officer
respond to preliminary, informal or formal discovery requests in a matter
in which he or she may be a fact witness?

Answer
     A judicial officer may respond to preliminary, informal or formal
discovery requests in a matter in which he or she may be a fact witness.
The judicial officer should, however, ensure that preliminary or informal
requests are handled in such a way so that there is no question that the
judicial position is being compromised or exploited for the private
interests of others.