State of Washington

Ethics Advisory Committee

Question

May a judicial officer solicit contributions in the neighborhood for a charitable organization?

May a judicial officer solicit funds which are used to purchase supplies and defray costs of a poetry contest for elementary school children?

May a judicial officer serve on a trust advisory committee which works with a lending institution regarding settlement proceeds for minor children?

Answer

A judicial officer is prohibited by CJC Canon 5(B)(2) from soliciting funds for charitable or educational organizations. Therefore, a judicial officer may not solicit funds in the neighborhood for a charitable organization nor may the judicial officer solicit funds in support of an elementary school poetry contest.

A judicial officer should not serve on a trust advisory committee which works with a lending institution regarding settlement proceeds for minor children as CJC Canon 5(C)(2) provides that a judge should not lend the prestige of the office to advance the private interests of others.

NOTE: Effective June 23, 1995, the Supreme Court amended the Code of Judicial Conduct. In addition to reviewing the ethics advisory opinions, the following should be noted: Opinion 91-2—The language in CJC Canon 5(B) has been modified. 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 3.7(B) CJC 3.11(B)

Opinion 91-02

2/4/1991