The Committee on Judicial Ethics responds to written inquiries from New York state's approximately 3,400 judges, who serve both full- and part-time. The committee's opinions interpret the Rules Governing Judicial Conduct (22NYCRR, Part 100) and the Code of Judicial Conduct. The committee, comprised of 26 current and retired judges and headed by former Justice George D. Marlow, also answers inquiries about proper campaign conduct from candidates for elective judicial office. The New York Law Journal publishes selected recent opinions of the committee.
Digest: This responds to an inquiry asking whether it is ethically permissible to attend a school orientation in order to explain to the students and their families the consequences of continued school absences. The judge indicates that he or she would not meet with any families or individual students or otherwise preside over an attendance court or any proceedings for truants. Rules: 22 NYCRR 100.3[B][8]; 22 NYCRR 100.3.
Opinion: It is ethically permissible for the judge to address students and their families at a school orientation as described above. However, it is impermissible to comment on any pending nor impending cases or render advice that would cast doubt on the court's ability to be impartial.
