State of Washington

Ethics Advisory Committee

Question

May a judicial officer participate in community-sponsored parades?

The following facts were provided to the committee: The judicial officer would be riding in a car with the judicial officer’s family or walking in these parades. A sign would be posted on the car bearing the judicial officer’s name and position as a local superior court judge. The judicial officer would not indicate the judicial officer is a candidate for political office or engage in campaign activities.

Answer

CJC Canon 5(B) permits a judicial officer to participate in civic activities that do not reflect adversely upon their impartiality or interfere with the performance of their judicial duties. Therefore, a judicial officer may participate in a community-sponsored parade.

Opinion 95-15

06/05/1995