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Advisory Opinions

Code of Judicial Conduct Advisory Opinions.

Advisory Committee

Since 1986, the Supreme Court-appointed Advisory Committee on the Code of Judicial Conduct has responded to inquiries from judges seeking guidance on judicial ethics questions such as personal business dealings, political activities, acceptance of gifts, charitable work, and teaching and writing.

The Committee responds to judicial inquiries in the form of advisory opinion letters. JEC has compiled scanned copies of all advisory opinions since 1991.

Advisory opinions are numbered by year of issuance followed by sequence of issuance, e.g. 11-01 represents the first opinion issued in 2011. They are indexed below by number, topic, date, Code section, and summary. Click on a heading to change the order of the list.

NOTE ON CHANGES IN THE CODE:

Starting in 2012, advisory opinions are based on the new 2012 Code of Judicial Conduct adopted by the New Mexico Supreme Court effective January 1, 2012. The 2012 Code is structured into four canons rather than the previous five, resulting in a completely different numbering structure. The Code section in the chart below refers to the 2012 Code for all letters dated 2012 and beyond. Be sure to check the provisions of the 2012 Code and consult the parallel tables for references to the corresponding previous rules.

From 1995-2011, advisory opinions were based on the previous 1995 Code of Judicial Conduct, as amended.

Prior to 1995, advisory opinions were based on the pre-1995 Code of Judicial Conduct.

Number Topic Date Code Summary
22-02 Prestige of Office 2022-10-22T00:00:00-06:00 Oct 22, 2022 ('21-103',) 21-103 Judge’s attendance at criminal hearing for close family member
22-03 Gifts, Impartiality 2022-10-22T00:00:00-06:00 Oct 22, 2022 ('21-102',) 21-102 Participation by judge in distribution of gift cards to kinship guardians.
22-01 Gifts 2022-06-28T00:00:00-06:00 Jun 28, 2022 ('21-313(A)',) 21-313(A) Attorney’s offer to represent LLC for free in lawsuit where judge is not a party, but owns a share.
21-07 Gifts 2021-12-02T00:00:00-07:00 Dec 02, 2021 ('21-313(A)',) 21-313(A) Attorney's offer to represent judge for free before Judicial Standards Commission
21-06 Conflicts: Staff 2021-05-28T00:00:00-06:00 May 28, 2021 ('21-102',) 21-102 Whether hearing officer may hire former secretary for Child Support Enforcement Division as court monitor
21-04 2021-05-04T00:00:00-06:00 May 04, 2021 () No opinion issued with this number.
21-05 Extra-Judicial Activity 2021-03-04T01:00:00-06:00 Mar 04, 2021 ('21-301(C)',) 21-301(C) Judge asked to serve on DRE committee activity
21-03 Ex Parte Communication 2021-02-26T01:00:00-06:00 Feb 26, 2021 ('21-209(A)',) 21-209(A) Judge’s discussions with mediator
21-02 Ex Parte Communication 2021-02-15T01:00:00-06:00 Feb 15, 2021 ('21-209',) 21-209 Communications with one party by court hearing officer
21-01 Recusal 2021-01-19T00:00:00-07:00 Jan 19, 2021 ('21-211',) 21-211 Judge asked to recuse when former employee listed as witness
20-03 Recusal 2020-06-17T00:00:00-06:00 Jun 17, 2020 ('21-211',) 21-211 Claimed bias against lawyer after unfavorable ruling.
20-02 Recusal 2020-02-28T01:00:00-06:00 Feb 28, 2020 ('21-211',) 21-211 Remittal of disqualification of Child Support Hearing officer by pro se party
20-01 Recusal 2020-02-04T01:00:00-06:00 Feb 04, 2020 ('21-211',) 21-211 DA requests judge’s recusal on all criminal cases because of judge’s pending discrimination case against DA, judge’s former employer
19-05 Bias 2019-12-03T01:00:00-06:00 Dec 03, 2019 ('21-203 (A)',) 21-203 (A) Judicial policy against marrying any minors under eighteen
19-04 Charitable Activity 2019-12-03T01:00:00-06:00 Dec 03, 2019 ('21-203',) 21-203 “Christmas at the Courthouse” event work proposed to foster good will
19-02 Attorney Conflict 2019-03-29T00:00:00-06:00 Mar 29, 2019 ('21-211',) 21-211 Previous representation of district attorney by newly appointed judge.
19-03 Charitable Activity 2019-03-29T00:00:00-06:00 Mar 29, 2019 ('21-307',) 21-307 Limitations on judge serving work on family foundation board
19-01 Outside Employment 2019-03-13T00:00:00-06:00 Mar 13, 2019 ('21-312',) 21-312 Judge compensated as student employment working for veterinary clinic
18-09 Business Conflict 2018-11-16T01:00:00-06:00 Nov 16, 2018 ('21-103',) 21-103 Judge including private practice on court website.
18-08 Recusal 2018-10-31T00:00:00-06:00 Oct 31, 2018 ('21-211(A)',) 21-211(A) Judge’s ability to remain on cases of unsuccessful lawyer applicant for court domestic violence commissioner position after lawyer sues judge over hiring decision.
18-07 Volunteer Activity 2018-08-14T00:00:00-06:00 Aug 14, 2018 ('21-301',) 21-301 Conditions under which judge may participate in high school mock trial competition.
18-06 Volunteer Service 2018-05-11T00:00:00-06:00 May 11, 2018 ('21-301',) 21-301 Judge volunteering as boy scout troop leader.
18-05 Volunteer Service 2018-05-11T00:00:00-06:00 May 11, 2018 ('21-301',) 21-301 Judge’s participation in truancy intervention court.
18-04 Extra-Judicial Activity 2018-04-10T00:00:00-06:00 Apr 10, 2018 ('21-301',) 21-301 Probate judge’s service on elections committee for electric coop.
18-03 Politics 2018-03-02T01:00:00-06:00 Mar 02, 2018 ('21-402(A)',) 21-402(A) Distribution of campaign literature by non-judge judicial candidate at candidate’s place of business.
18-02 Conflict of Interest 2018-02-28T01:00:00-06:00 Feb 28, 2018 ('21-309',) 21-309 Discussion of ability of pro tem judge to serve as mediator or in various other capacities.
18-01 Politics 2018-01-30T00:00:00-07:00 Jan 30, 2018 ('21-211',) 21-211 Factors in deciding whether judge who is a candidate must disqualify self from a case involving local government body after receiving unsolicited political support from one of its members.
17-07 Impartiality 2017-12-18T00:00:00-07:00 Dec 18, 2017 ('21-202',) 21-202 Program requests space at courthouse to offer legal services for landlord tenant cases.
17-06 Local Rules 2017-12-12T00:00:00-07:00 Dec 12, 2017 ('21-101',) 21-101 Obligation of magistrate judge to comply with remand order requiring jury trial in misdemeanor case, despite local court rule waiving imprisonment.
17-05 Politics 2017-12-07T00:00:00-07:00 Dec 07, 2017 ('21-211',) 21-211 Disqualification of judge having contacts with legislator who later becomes a defendant in his court.
17-04 Charitable Donations 2017-10-11T00:00:00-06:00 Oct 11, 2017 ('21-307(A)',) 21-307(A) Court asked to participate in county government fundraising campaign.
17-03 Ex Parte Communication, Volunteer Service 2017-09-13T00:00:00-06:00 Sep 13, 2017 ('21-103', '21-209(A)') 21-103, 21-209(A) Judge writes article offering volunteer personal services (21-103);Judge invites public use of his personal email (21-209(A)).
17-02 Personal Conflict of Staff 2017-08-25T00:00:00-06:00 Aug 25, 2017 ('21-201',) 21-201 Court clerk relationship with assistant DA.
17-01 Politics 2017-07-06T00:00:00-06:00 Jul 06, 2017 ('21-401(C)',) 21-401(C) Limits on judge’s support for spouse’s candidacy.
16-05 Spouse's Employment 2016-10-18T00:00:00-06:00 Oct 18, 2016 ('21-211(A)',) 21-211(A) Warrant requests of judge married to a non-supervisory level detective.
16-04 Recusal 2016-09-30T00:00:00-06:00 Sep 30, 2016 ('21-211(A)',) 21-211(A) Continual business relationship with bank filing foreclosure suit before judge.
16-03 Publication 2016-09-19T00:00:00-06:00 Sep 19, 2016 ('21-301',) 21-301 Judge writing newspaper article about death penalty.
16-02 Attorney Conflict 2016-08-19T00:00:00-06:00 Aug 19, 2016 ('21-301',) 21-301 Part-time municipal judge representing defendant in criminal case.
16-01 Volunteer Service 2016-08-08T00:00:00-06:00 Aug 08, 2016 ('21-307',) 21-307 Judge Organizing fundraising concert for high school band.
Special advisory opinion on social media Social Media 2016-02-15T01:00:00-06:00 Feb 15, 2016 () Special advisory opinion on social media.
15-03 Publishing 2015-12-22T00:00:00-07:00 Dec 22, 2015 ('21-103',) 21-103 Judge interviewed and photographed for magazine article.
15-02 Politics 2015-10-16T00:00:00-06:00 Oct 16, 2015 ('21-402(E)', '21-404') 21-402(E), 21-404 Can a publicly-financed judicial candidate personally solicit qualifying or seed money donations, or know the identity of such contributions from attorneys?
15-01 Volunteer Service 2015-08-03T00:00:00-06:00 Aug 03, 2015 ('21-304',) 21-304 Judge serving on county task force on youth development program services.
14-09 Spouse's Employment 2014-12-11T00:00:00-07:00 Dec 11, 2014 ('21-211',) 21-211 Spouse employed as compliance officer.
14-08 Reference Letter 2014-11-19T00:00:00-07:00 Nov 19, 2014 ('21-103',) 21-103 Reference letter for judicial applicant.
14-07 Attorney Conflict 2014-10-28T00:00:00-06:00 Oct 28, 2014 ('21-211',) 21-211 Judge formerly served as DA.
14-06 Volunteer Service 2014-09-24T06:00:00+00:00 Sep 24, 2014 ('21-304',) 21-304 Juvenile court judge asked to serve on mayor's children's cabinet.
14-05 Recusal 2014-07-23T06:00:00+00:00 Jul 23, 2014 ('21-211',) 21-211 District judge assigned case judge previously heard when serving as child support hearing officer.
14-04 Business Conflict 2014-06-03T06:00:00+00:00 Jun 03, 2014 ('21-311',) 21-311 Judge who hears cases from state parks owns interest in family business with park concessions.
14-03 Business Conflict 2014-04-07T06:00:00+00:00 Apr 07, 2014 ('21-301',) 21-301 Judge inspects school buses for two school districts on weekends.
14-02 Lobbying 2014-02-20T07:00:00+00:00 Feb 20, 2014 ('21-302',) 21-302 Lobbying by a continuing part-time judge.
14-01 Ex Parte Communication 2014-01-17T07:00:00+00:00 Jan 17, 2014 ('21-209',) 21-209 Judge reviewing database of convictions to set pre-trial release conditions.
13-12 Attorney Conflict 2013-11-25T07:00:00+00:00 Nov 25, 2013 ('21-211',) 21-211 Former prosecutor's ability to preside as magistrate over pending drug court proceedings.
13-09 Business Conflict, Charitable Activity 2013-11-04T07:00:00+00:00 Nov 04, 2013 ('21-307', '21-312') 21-307, 21-312 Judge selling pottery at charitable benefit and for personal profit.
13-10 Spouse's Employment 2013-10-30T06:00:00+00:00 Oct 30, 2013 ('21-211',) 21-211 Judge's spouse employed as victim's advocate in DA's office.
13-08 Ex Parte Communication 2013-10-30T06:00:00+00:00 Oct 30, 2013 ('21-209',) 21-209 Submission of post-sentencing and post-disposition probation orders without review by counsel.
13-11 Business Conflict 2013-10-30T06:00:00+00:00 Oct 30, 2013 ('21-311',) 21-311 Renting family-owned building to medical services provider.
13-07 Attorney Conflict 2013-10-09T06:00:00+00:00 Oct 09, 2013 ('21-211',) 21-211 Judge retained attorney who later joins local law firm.
13-06 Outside Employment 2013-09-24T06:00:00+00:00 Sep 24, 2013 ('21-301',) 21-301 Judge hired to establish teen court in neighboring district.
13-05 Volunteer Service 2013-09-09T06:00:00+00:00 Sep 09, 2013 ('21-301',) 21-301 Magistrate judge's service on truancy court.
13-04 Charitable Activity, Non-Profit Organization 2013-07-01T06:00:00+00:00 Jul 01, 2013 ('21-103', '21-301', '21-302') 21-103, 21-301, 21-302 Judge may write letter of support in official capacity for grant funding for nonprofit legal aid organization that advances the legal system.
13-03 Charitable Activity, Non-Profit Organization 2013-06-27T06:00:00+00:00 Jun 27, 2013 ('21-301', '21-307(A)') 21-301, 21-307(A) Judge serving as non-profit board member may allow photo and bio to appear on organization's website if this info is incidental to fundraising.
13-02 Business Conflict 2013-02-14T07:00:00+00:00 Feb 14, 2013 ('21-301',) 21-301 Part-time probate judge's election as trustee of private, non-profit electric co-op.
13-01 Business Conflict 2013-01-07T07:00:00+00:00 Jan 07, 2013 ('21-211', '21-311') 21-211, 21-311 New judge transferring former law practice (pending contingent fees and judgments, disqualification, etc.).
12-14 Business Conflict 2012-12-03T07:00:00+00:00 Dec 03, 2012 ('21-102',) 21-102 New judge closing former law practice (pending fees, transfer of cases, client notifications, etc.).
12-13 Law Enforcement Education 2012-12-03T07:00:00+00:00 Dec 03, 2012 ('21-301',) 21-301 Judge's participation in mock trial to train law enforcement officers.
12-12 Extra-Judicial Activity, Non-Profit Organization 2012-11-15T07:00:00+00:00 Nov 15, 2012 ('21-301', '21-307(A)') 21-301, 21-307(A) Judge serving on board of directors of non-profit organization.
12-11 Publishing 2012-11-05T07:00:00+00:00 Nov 05, 2012 ('21-301',) 21-301 Judge's authorship of autobiographical book for sale.
12-10 Outside Employment, Volunteer Service 2012-10-22T06:00:00+00:00 Oct 22, 2012 ('21-301', '21-304') 21-301, 21-304 Part-time judge's employment or volunteer service with government entity.
12-09 Business Conflict 2012-10-02T06:00:00+00:00 Oct 02, 2012 ('21-311(B)',) 21-311(B) Judge's participation in non-commercial limited liability corporation.
12-08 Campaign Fundraising 2012-08-02T06:00:00+00:00 Aug 02, 2012 ('21-402(E)',) 21-402(E) Invitation to fundraiser by judge's campaign committee suggesting campaign donation.
12-05 Outside Employment 2012-06-19T06:00:00+00:00 Jun 19, 2012 ('21-301', '21-312') 21-301, 21-312 Judge serving as paid sports referee.
12-07 Politics 2012-06-19T06:00:00+00:00 Jun 19, 2012 ('21-402',) 21-402 Judicial candidate inviting political party central committee to candidate's home.
12-06 Reference Letter 2012-06-19T06:00:00+00:00 Jun 19, 2012 ('21-103',) 21-103 Judge writing reference letter for public defender applicant.
12-04 Charitable Donations 2012-04-30T06:00:00+00:00 Apr 30, 2012 ('21-102', '21-103') 21-102, 21-103 Request to municipal judge to require Crime Stoppers donation as condition of deferred sentence.
12-03 Endorsements, Knowledge of atty supporters 2012-02-20T07:00:00+00:00 Feb 20, 2012 ('21-402',) 21-402 Interpretation of Rule 21-402, Comment 17, concerning a judicial candidate not soliciting endorsements or being informed of the identity of attorney supporters.
12-02 Charitable Activity 2012-02-07T07:00:00+00:00 Feb 07, 2012 ('21-307(A)',) 21-307(A) 2012 Code permits judge to perform and serve as talent judge at fundraiser for indigent legal services (supersedes Advisory Opinion 08-04).
12-01 Public Education 2012-01-03T07:00:00+00:00 Jan 03, 2012 ('21-314',) 21-314 Speaking and accepting expense reimbursement at national bail bondsmen conference.
11-04 Politics 2011-12-20T07:00:00+00:00 Dec 20, 2011 ('21-800(C)',) 21-800(C) Acceptance of unsolicited campaign endorsements
11-03 Business Conflict 2011-09-21T06:00:00+00:00 Sep 21, 2011 ('21-500(D)',) 21-500(D) Judge's spouse bidding at public foreclosure sale ordered by another judge from same court
11-02 Recusal 2011-08-24T06:00:00+00:00 Aug 24, 2011 ('21-400(A)',) 21-400(A) Recusal from criminal cases where judge's husband is state police official
11-01 Multiple Judgeships 2011-02-09T07:00:00+00:00 Feb 09, 2011 ('21-500',) 21-500 Service by retired pro tem magistrate judge as alternate municipal judge
10-09 Prestige of Office 2010-11-29T07:00:00+00:00 Nov 29, 2010 ('21-200',) 21-200 Limitations on recruting judicial colleagues to attend Red Mass
10-08 Outside Employment 2010-10-08T06:00:00+00:00 Oct 08, 2010 ('21-500(B)',) 21-500(B) Judge facilitating drug and alcohol classes in schools for stipend paid by DWI Fees
10-07 Recusal 2010-07-19T06:00:00+00:00 Jul 19, 2010 ('21-400',) 21-400 Participation in criminal cases involving sheriff’s office in which judge’s son-in-law serves
10-06 Conflict of Interest 2010-07-19T06:00:00+00:00 Jul 19, 2010 ('21-500',) 21-500 Propriety of salary of new judicial position being paid through contribution from county
10-05 Business Conflict 2010-04-21T06:00:00+00:00 Apr 21, 2010 ('21-200(B)',) 21-200(B) Rental of retail space by court to an attorney
10-04 Volunteer Service 2010-04-14T06:00:00+00:00 Apr 14, 2010 ('21-500',) 21-500 Judge as officer in national association of drug court professionals
10-03 Politics 2010-03-15T06:00:00+00:00 Mar 15, 2010 ('21-800(C)',) 21-800(C) Requirement for campaign committee in retention election where no expenditures planned
10-02 Politics 2010-03-05T07:00:00+00:00 Mar 05, 2010 ('21-800(C)',) 21-800(C) Requirement for campaign committee if judge finances own campaign
10-01 Volunteer Service 2010-02-17T07:00:00+00:00 Feb 17, 2010 ('21-500(C)',) 21-500(C) Probate judge's service on Border Health Commission
09-05 Publishing 2009-11-03T07:00:00+00:00 Nov 03, 2009 ('21-500(B)',) 21-500(B) Judge's poetry book acceptable, subject to avoiding judge's use of title to promote it
09-04 Recusal 2009-11-03T07:00:00+00:00 Nov 03, 2009 ('21-400(A)',) 21-400(A) Judge must recuse from cases under responsibility of husband, a state police captain
09-03 Personal Conflict 2009-10-15T06:00:00+00:00 Oct 15, 2009 ('21-200(A)',) 21-200(A) Judicial Education Center may support municipal judges educational travel expenses from municipal court fees
09-02 Politics 2009-04-27T06:00:00+00:00 Apr 27, 2009 ('21-700(A)',) 21-700(A) Judge may not be a delegate to state political party convention
09-01 Publishing 2009-01-23T07:00:00+00:00 Jan 23, 2009 ('21-500(B)',) 21-500(B) Judge may write article for national magazine on gay rights
08-06 Public Education 2008-09-02T06:00:00+00:00 Sep 02, 2008 ('21-500(B)',) 21-500(B) Judge advised not to present at educational program limited to defense bar
08-05 Hiring Conflict 2008-07-01T06:00:00+00:00 Jul 01, 2008 ('21-400(A)',) 21-400(A) Appellate judge may hire law clerk serving on county planning commission and hear cases from county, subject to limitations
08-04 Volunteer Service 2008-05-19T06:00:00+00:00 May 19, 2008 ('21-500(C)',) 21-500(C) Judge may not donate services for charity fundraisers where his identity is known (superseded by Advisory Opinion 12-02)
08-03 Recusal 2008-02-25T07:00:00+00:00 Feb 25, 2008 ('21-400(A)',) 21-400(A) Judge need not recuse from case if lawsuit filed against him by one of the parties is a sham
08-02 Recusal 2008-02-25T07:00:00+00:00 Feb 25, 2008 ('21-400(A)',) 21-400(A) Judge need not recuse solely because of prior contempt ruling against counsel
08-01 Politics 2008-02-18T07:00:00+00:00 Feb 18, 2008 ('21-700(A)',) 21-700(A) Judge may speak publicly against proposal to require law licenses for municipal judges
07-11 Outside Employment 2007-10-23T06:00:00+00:00 Oct 23, 2007 ('21-500',) 21-500 Judge may host bilingual radio music program, subject to restrictions of code.
07-10 Law Practice 2007-08-16T06:00:00+00:00 Aug 16, 2007 ('21-500(G)',) 21-500(G) Judge familiar with court's technology program may appear for court as party in mediation over dispute with provider.
07-09 Volunteer Service 2007-08-16T06:00:00+00:00 Aug 16, 2007 ('21-500(C)',) 21-500(C) Judge should not serve on board of nonprofit organization that contracts with County to serve public hospital that is likely to appear frequently before judge.
07-08 Endorsements 2007-07-24T06:00:00+00:00 Jul 24, 2007 ('21-500(C)',) 21-500(C) Family court judge should ask nonprofit organization serving family court litigants to remove his name from letterhead as founding director.
07-07 Recusal 2007-06-04T06:00:00+00:00 Jun 04, 2007 ('21-400(A)',) 21-400(A) Judge need not recuse when former judge on same court appears as counsel.
07-06 Business Conflict 2007-04-27T06:00:00+00:00 Apr 27, 2007 ('21-500(D)',) 21-500(D) Hearing officer may sell home to attorney with outside financing (see No. 06-06).
07-05 Attorney Conflict 2007-04-19T06:00:00+00:00 Apr 19, 2007 ('21-200(A)',) 21-200(A) Judge need not recuse on request by former law partner in a domestic relations case, when sufficient time has passed and judge has issued multiple rulings
07-04 Recusal 2007-04-02T06:00:00+00:00 Apr 02, 2007 ('21-500(A)',) 21-500(A) Judge should recuse in every criminal case when spouse is chief deputy district attorney for district: remittal not adequate
07-03 Politics 2007-02-08T07:00:00+00:00 Feb 08, 2007 ('21-200(A)',) 21-200(A) Once assuming judicial position, probate judge must resign from elected seat on public community college board of trustees
07-02 Business Conflict 2007-01-23T07:00:00+00:00 Jan 23, 2007 ('21-500(H)',) 21-500(H) Part-time probate judge may accept position as police chief for small town, under conditions to avoid conflicts interfering with performance of judicial duties
07-01 Business Conflict 2007-01-17T07:00:00+00:00 Jan 17, 2007 ('21-500(D)',) 21-500(D) Judge may sell private attorney the judge’s phone listing from the judge’s former solo law practice, subject to conditions to avoid appearance of exploiting judicial position for private benefit
06-06 Business Conflict 2006-12-14T07:00:00+00:00 Dec 14, 2006 ('21-500(D)',) 21-500(D) Hearing officer should not enter into real estate contract for sale of home to attorney who appears in front of him
06-05 Politics 2006-09-11T06:00:00+00:00 Sep 11, 2006 ('21-800(D)', '21-800(E)') 21-800(D), 21-800(E) Magistrate candidate who becomes unopposed after primary election may continue campaign fundraising to retire primary campaign debts
06-04 Charitable Activity, Prestige of Office 2006-08-22T06:00:00+00:00 Aug 22, 2006 ('21-200', '21-500') 21-200, 21-500 Part-time municipal judge may not assume fundraising role as head of non-profit organization; judge should avoid appearance of impropriety in deciding whether to attend seminar taught by defense lawyer
06-03 Recusal 2006-06-16T06:00:00+00:00 Jun 16, 2006 ('21-400(A)',) 21-400(A) Municipal judge not required to recuse from prosecutions filed by office of city attorney solely by virtue of having filed civil suit naming city attorney as party, where suit sought to resolve city’s responsibility to indemnify judge
06-02 Volunteer Service 2006-05-01T06:00:00+00:00 May 01, 2006 ('21-500(A)', '21-500(C)') 21-500(A), 21-500(C) Judge may conditionally serve on Death Review Team
06-01 Business Conflict 2006-02-24T07:00:00+00:00 Feb 24, 2006 ('21-200(A)', '21-500(H)') 21-200(A), 21-500(H) Director of agency funded from court fees may serve as alternate municipal judge
05-05 Public Education 2005-08-24T06:00:00+00:00 Aug 24, 2005 ('21-500(B)',) 21-500(B) Teaching evidence law for legal assistants program
05-04 Business Conflict 2005-07-07T06:00:00+00:00 Jul 07, 2005 ('21-500',) 21-500 Renting warehouse to drug task force
05-03 Reference Letter 2005-06-01T06:00:00+00:00 Jun 01, 2005 ('21-500(B)',) 21-500(B) Judge may submit reference letter for colleague to nominating commission
05-01 Outside Employment 2005-02-07T07:00:00+00:00 Feb 07, 2005 ('21-500(I)',) 21-500(I) Full-time magistrate serving as tribal judge
05-02 Volunteer Service 2005-02-01T07:00:00+00:00 Feb 01, 2005 ('21-200(B)', '21-500(C)', '21-700(A)') 21-200(B), 21-500(C), 21-700(A) Service on public library board and endorsing bond issue
04-07 Volunteer Service 2004-12-08T07:00:00+00:00 Dec 08, 2004 ('21-500(C)', '21-901') 21-500(C), 21-901 Part-time municipal judge serving on municipal committee
04-06 Recusal 2004-11-04T07:00:00+00:00 Nov 04, 2004 ('21-100', '21-200(A)') 21-100, 21-200(A) Judge's voluntary suspension pending criminal investigation of shooting in self-defense
04-05 Politics 2004-09-09T06:00:00+00:00 Sep 09, 2004 ('21-700(B)',) 21-700(B) Though judicial condidates may express positions on policy issues, they are still subject to constraints
04-04 Volunteer Service 2004-07-26T06:00:00+00:00 Jul 26, 2004 ('21-200(B)', '21-500(C)') 21-200(B), 21-500(C) Participation in a "dunk-a-judge" event
04-03 Memberships 2004-05-26T06:00:00+00:00 May 26, 2004 ('21-200(C)',) 21-200(C) Membership in male-only social organization
04-01 Ex Parte Communication 2004-04-22T06:00:00+00:00 Apr 22, 2004 ('21-300(B)',) 21-300(B) Water adjudication judges on Court-appointed committee developing model procedures should avoid hearing comment from non-judicial members on pending procedural matters
04-02 Attorney Conflict 2004-03-30T07:00:00+00:00 Mar 30, 2004 ('21-200',) 21-200 Attorney representing police seeking appointment as alternate municipal judge
03-02 Endorsements 2003-10-08T06:00:00+00:00 Oct 08, 2003 ('21-200(B)', '21-500') 21-200(B), 21-500 Presenting public television program during fundraiser
03-01 Business Conflict 2003-07-31T06:00:00+00:00 Jul 31, 2003 ('21-200(A)',) 21-200(A) Referring defendants to DWI class run by judge’s court administrator
02-09 Volunteer Service 2002-10-09T06:00:00+00:00 Oct 09, 2002 ('21-500(C)',) 21-500(C) Serving as director of foundation created through litigation
02-08 Politics 2002-09-20T06:00:00+00:00 Sep 20, 2002 ('21-700',) 21-700 Providing photo of retention candidate to political party
02-07 Public Education 2002-09-10T06:00:00+00:00 Sep 10, 2002 ('21-500(B)',) 21-500(B) Teaching business law class
02-05 Volunteer Service 2002-09-10T06:00:00+00:00 Sep 10, 2002 ('21-500',) 21-500 Serving on DWI Advisory Council
02-06 Volunteer Service 2002-08-29T06:00:00+00:00 Aug 29, 2002 ('21-500(A)',) 21-500(A) Serving on various boards & committees
02-03 Volunteer Service 2002-07-17T06:00:00+00:00 Jul 17, 2002 ('21-500(A)',) 21-500(A) Serving as statistician for sports team
02-3 Business Conflict 2002-04-22T06:00:00+00:00 Apr 22, 2002 ('21-200', '21-500(I)', '21-901') 21-200, 21-500(I), 21-901 Pro tem judge acting as investigator; recommending pardon
02-02 Politics 2002-04-03T07:00:00+00:00 Apr 03, 2002 ('21-700',) 21-700 Campaigning in primary though unopposed
02-04 Public Education 2002-04-03T07:00:00+00:00 Apr 03, 2002 ('21-500(B)',) 21-500(B) Newspaper articles on municipal court
01-10 Politics 2002-03-04T07:00:00+00:00 Mar 04, 2002 ('21-700', '21-901') 21-700, 21-901 Municipal judge running for non-judicial office
02-01 Politics 2002-02-19T07:00:00+00:00 Feb 19, 2002 ('21-700',) 21-700 Using “judge” in campaign ad for different court
01-09 Attorney Conflict 2002-01-22T07:00:00+00:00 Jan 22, 2002 ('21-500(D)',) 21-500(D) Financing sale of building to attorney
01-08 Public Education 2001-11-29T07:00:00+00:00 Nov 29, 2001 ('21-500(A)', '21-600(A)', '21-600(B)') 21-500(A), 21-600(A), 21-600(B) Teaching juvenile justice class; compensation
01-07 Outside Employment 2001-10-18T06:00:00+00:00 Oct 18, 2001 ('21-500(I)',) 21-500(I) Serving as tribal court judge
01-05 Public Education 2001-08-15T06:00:00+00:00 Aug 15, 2001 ('21-200', '21-500(D)') 21-200, 21-500(D) Probate judge taking payment to write newspaper column
04-19 Business Conflict 2001-04-19T06:00:00+00:00 Apr 19, 2001 ('21-400', '21-500') 21-400, 21-500 Renting office space to counselors who take court referrals
01-04 Business Conflict 2001-04-19T06:00:00+00:00 Apr 19, 2001 ('21-200(B)', '21-400(A)', '21-500(D)') 21-200(B), 21-400(A), 21-500(D) Renting offices to counselors and instructors receiving referrals from court
01-03 Business Conflict 2001-04-09T06:00:00+00:00 Apr 09, 2001 ('21-500',) 21-500 Filing bankruptcy
01-02 Volunteer Service 2001-02-28T07:00:00+00:00 Feb 28, 2001 ('21-500',) 21-500 Service on CASA advisory board
01-01 Politics 2001-02-14T07:00:00+00:00 Feb 14, 2001 ('21-800(E)',) 21-800(E) Post election fundraising: unpaid campaign debts
00-01 Funds Management 2000-06-30T06:00:00+00:00 Jun 30, 2000 ('21-200', '21-500') 21-200, 21-500 Disbursing unclaimed litigation funds post election
99-07 Politics 1999-07-22T06:00:00+00:00 Jul 22, 1999 ('21-700',) 21-700 Using “retain” in campaign literature: appointed judge
99-09 Outside Employment 1999-07-22T06:00:00+00:00 Jul 22, 1999 ('21-500', '21-901') 21-500, 21-901 Part-time Municipal judge working for government agency
99-08 Business Conflict 1999-07-22T06:00:00+00:00 Jul 22, 1999 ('21-200', '21-500(D)') 21-200, 21-500(D) Bidding on courthouse construction
99-06 Politics 1999-06-23T06:00:00+00:00 Jun 23, 1999 ('21-200', '21-300') 21-200, 21-300 Bailiff as county commissioner
99-05 Volunteer Service 1999-04-27T06:00:00+00:00 Apr 27, 1999 ('21-200', '21-400', '21-500') 21-200, 21-400, 21-500 Sitting on case where organization judge belongs to files amicus brief
99-04 Politics 1999-04-12T06:00:00+00:00 Apr 12, 1999 ('21-300', '21-700', '21-901') 21-300, 21-700, 21-901 Political activity by judicial staff attorney
99-03 Volunteer Service 1999-03-05T07:00:00+00:00 Mar 05, 1999 ('21-500(C)',) 21-500(C) Serving on foundation board; fundraising
99-02 Volunteer Service 1999-03-04T07:00:00+00:00 Mar 04, 1999 ('21-500(A)',) 21-500(A) Serving as member of community board
99-01 Business Conflict 1999-01-13T07:00:00+00:00 Jan 13, 1999 ('21-400', '21-500(A)') 21-400, 21-500(A) Conducting various outside businesses through spouse
98-05 Volunteer Service 1998-09-17T06:00:00+00:00 Sep 17, 1998 ('21-500(C)',) 21-500(C) Serving on board of community corporation
98-04 Attorney Conflict 1998-09-01T06:00:00+00:00 Sep 01, 1998 ('21-500',) 21-500 Sharing expenses of airplane with attorney
98-03 Spouse's Employment 1998-05-13T06:00:00+00:00 May 13, 1998 ('21-400',) 21-400 Spouse as probation officer; remittal
98-01 Politics 1998-02-20T07:00:00+00:00 Feb 20, 1998 ('21-500', '21-901') 21-500, 21-901 Fundraising by non-incumbent judicial candidate
98-02 Broadcasting 1998-02-20T07:00:00+00:00 Feb 20, 1998 ('None',) None Permitting radio broadcast from Municipal courtroom
97-08 Recusal 1997-12-29T07:00:00+00:00 Dec 29, 1997 ('21-200', '21-400(A)') 21-200, 21-400(A) Former associate or former election opponent appearing before judge
97-07 Business Conflict 1997-08-20T06:00:00+00:00 Aug 20, 1997 ('21-500(D)',) 21-500(D) Sale of property to contractor bidding on court building
97-06 Attorney Conflict 1997-04-30T06:00:00+00:00 Apr 30, 1997 ('21-500(D)',) 21-500(D) Renting office to attorneys
97-05 Public Education 1997-04-08T06:00:00+00:00 Apr 08, 1997 ('21-300(B)', '21-500(B)') 21-300(B), 21-500(B) Submitting newspaper articles
97-04 Endorsements 1997-03-19T07:00:00+00:00 Mar 19, 1997 ('21-200(B)',) 21-200(B) Appearing on video endorsing TV network
97-03 Outside Employment, Volunteer Service 1997-03-06T07:00:00+00:00 Mar 06, 1997 ('21-500(C)', '21-901(C)') 21-500(C), 21-901(C) (1) Fundraising advice; (2) Representing another judge in court
97-01 Hiring Conflict 1997-01-30T07:00:00+00:00 Jan 30, 1997 ('21-200(B)', '21-500(C)') 21-200(B), 21-500(C) Interviewing probation officer and detention coordinator candidates
97-02 Spouse's Employment 1997-01-21T07:00:00+00:00 Jan 21, 1997 ('21-200(B)', '21-400(A)') 21-200(B), 21-400(A) Spouse serving as public defender
96-07 Politics 1996-06-24T06:00:00+00:00 Jun 24, 1996 ('21-700(A)', '21-700(F)') 21-700(A), 21-700(F) Attending national political party convention
96-08 Volunteer Service 1996-06-19T06:00:00+00:00 Jun 19, 1996 ('21-500(C)',) 21-500(C) Serving on community college board
96-06 Volunteer Service 1996-05-29T06:00:00+00:00 May 29, 1996 ('21-500(C)',) 21-500(C) Serving on CASA Board (hearing officer)
96-05 Public Education 1996-05-13T06:00:00+00:00 May 13, 1996 ('21-300(B)', '21-500(B)') 21-300(B), 21-500(B) Educational programming in column or talk radio
96-04 Outside Employment 1996-05-06T06:00:00+00:00 May 06, 1996 ('21-500(I)',) 21-500(I) Serving as pro tem tribal court judge
96-03 Politics 1996-04-24T06:00:00+00:00 Apr 24, 1996 ('21-700(C)',) 21-700(C) Running for legislature; resignation
96-02 Politics 1996-02-22T07:00:00+00:00 Feb 22, 1996 ('21-700',) 21-700 Permissible campaigning for spouse
96-01 Politics 1996-01-26T07:00:00+00:00 Jan 26, 1996 ('21-700',) 21-700 Signing or circulating nominating petition for judicial candidate
95-04 Attorney Conflict 1995-07-27T06:00:00+00:00 Jul 27, 1995 ('21-400(A)',) 21-400(A) Hearing cases of former law partner
95-03 Endorsements 1995-07-27T06:00:00+00:00 Jul 27, 1995 ('21-200(B)',) 21-200(B) Allowing photographer to display courts photo in studio
95-02 Volunteer Service 1995-05-01T06:00:00+00:00 May 01, 1995 ('21-500(C)',) 21-500(C) Serving on board of victim support organization
95-01 Outside Employment 1995-01-19T07:00:00+00:00 Jan 19, 1995 ('21-500(I)',) 21-500(I) Municipal judge working for county sheriff
94-06 Outside Employment 1994-08-30T06:00:00+00:00 Aug 30, 1994 ('21-200', '21-300') 21-200, 21-300 Law clerk serving on case involving future employer (decided under pre-1995 Code)
94-05 Testimonials 1994-08-26T06:00:00+00:00 Aug 26, 1994 ('21-500(D)',) 21-500(D) Public testimonial to retired judge from former litigant (decided under pre-1995 Code)
94-04 Politics 1994-05-06T06:00:00+00:00 May 06, 1994 ('21-200',) 21-200 Court reporter chairing county political party (decided under pre-1995 Code)
92-05 Politics 1992-12-08T07:00:00+00:00 Dec 08, 1992 ('21-200', '21-500') 21-200, 21-500 Candidates: Photos in robes; use of “judge” in literature; Judge holding office in county political party (decided under pre-1995 Code)
92-03 Politics 1992-08-01T06:00:00+00:00 Aug 01, 1992 ('21-700(C)',) 21-700(C) Candidates: photos in robes; use of term “judge” in literature (decided under pre-1995 Code)
91-02 Politics 1991-06-04T06:00:00+00:00 Jun 04, 1991 ('21-300',) 21-300 Announcing DWI sentencing policy in advance (decided under pre-1995 Code)
91-01 Spouse's Employment 1991-05-06T06:00:00+00:00 May 06, 1991 ('21-200', '21-400') 21-200, 21-400 Judge’s spouse becomes public defender (decided under pre-1995 Code)