STATE OF WASHINGTON
ETHICS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AMENDED OPINION NO. 95-6


Question
     May a judicial officer offer as an auction item at a county bar
association silent auction a dinner hosted by the judicial officer?

     The county bar association is hosting a silent auction to raise funds
for the association’s pro bono program.  The judicial officer is proposing
to host a dinner which would be an auction item.  The dinner would be held
at the judicial officer’s home and the judicial officer would prepare the
meal, act as host, waiter, etc.

Answer
     CJC Canon 4(C) provides that judges may assist an organization which
is involved in the law, the legal system and the administration of justice
in raising funds and may participate in their management and investment,
but they should not personally participate in public fundraising
activities.

     Canon 4(C) prohibits a judicial officer from personally participating
in fundraising activities.  Therefore, a judicial officer may not offer a
dinner at the home of the judicial officer as an auction item.  It is the
personal participation of the judicial officer which bars the auctioning
off of the dinner.

     A judicial officer may donate items that will not involve personal
interaction with the judicial officer.