State of Washington

Ethics Advisory Committee

Question

May a District Court judge contract with another part-time District Court judge (from a different district) to provide indigent defense services in criminal cases?

Answer

CJC Canon 1 and Canon 2 prohibit a District Court judge from contracting with another part-time District Court judge (from a different district) to provide indigent defense services in criminal cases as the awarding of the contract to another part-time judge creates an appearance of impropriety and 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

Opinion 89-15

7/21/1989