STATE OF WASHINGTON
ETHICS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
OPINION NO. 93-24

Question
     Is it permissible for a judicial officer to write a letter of
recommendation on behalf of someone for employment on the judicial
officer's letterhead assuming personal knowledge of the applicant, and
further assuming no personal reward to the judicial officer, except doing
someone a favor, and further assuming no pressure is exerted which involves
using the weight of the position?

Answer
     CJC Canon 2(B) provides in part that judicial officers should not lend
the prestige of the judicial office to advance the private interests of
others.  It also provides that judges should not voluntarily appear as
character witnesses.  Accordingly, a judicial officer should not use
official letterhead to write a letter of recommendation for a family friend
under any circumstances.   Official letterhead may be used for a letter of
recommendation for court personnel or for attorneys who have appeared
before the judicial officer.  See Opinions 86-12, 87-1, 87-4, 87-10, 88-5
and 92-17.