State of Washington

Ethics Advisory Committee

Question

Is it proper for a municipal court judge to serve on the board of directors of a nonprofit organization which conducts safety training classes that a municipal court judge could require defendants to attend as a condition of their sentence?

Answer

It is not proper under CJC Canon 2(B) for a municipal court judge to serve on the board of directors of a nonprofit organization which conducts safety training classes that a municipal court judge could require defendants to attend as a condition of their sentence since it may create the appearance of partiality.

The Supreme Court adopted a new Code of Judicial Conduct effective January 1, 2011. In addition to reviewing the ethics advisory opinions, the following should be noted: CJC 1.2 CJC 3.1

Opinion 85-10

10/1/1985