State of Washington

Ethics Advisory Committee

Question

May a judge attend an event sponsored by the State Senate Democratic Caucus, the purpose of which is to raise money in support of party candidates to the State Senate, where the judge received a complimentary invitation as a former member of the State Senate Democratic Caucus?

Answer

The Committee recognizes that CJC Canon 7(A) allows judges to attend political gatherings and to speak on their own behalf or on behalf of another candidate for judicial office; however, because the purpose of this event is to raise money in support of party candidates, it would not be proper for a judge to attend this event. Even though the judge would not be contributing money, the judge's attendance could give the appearance that the judge has made a contribution to a nonjudicial candidate.

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 4.1

Opinion 89-17

12/12/1989