Canons

Fla. Code Jud. Conduct,Canon 2A Judge shall act at all times in a manner that promotes confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.

Fla. Code Jud. Conduct,Canon 2C Judge should not hold membership in an organization that practices invidious discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, or national origin. Membership in a fraternal, sororal, religious, or ethnic heritage organization shall not be deemed to be a violation of this provision.

Fla. Code Jud. Conduct,Canon 2C, Commentary This Canon is not intended to prohibit membership in religious and ethnic clubs, such as Knights of Columbus, Masons, B’nai B’rith, and Sons of Italy; civic organizations, such as Rotary, Kiwanis, and The Junior League; young people’s organizations, such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boys’ Clubs, and Girls’ Clubs; and charitable organizations, such as United Way and Red Cross.

Fla. Code Jud. Conduct,Canon 2C, Commentary Whether an organization practices invidious discrimination is often a complex question to which judges should be sensitive. The answer cannot be determined from a mere examination of an organization’s current membership rolls but rather depends on the history of the organization’s selection of members and other relevant factors such as whether the organization is dedicated to the preservation of religious, ethnic, or cultural values of legitimate common interests to its members.

Fla. Code Jud. Conduct,Canon 5C(3)(a) A judge may serve as an officer, director, trustee or non-legal advisor of an educational, religious, charitable, fraternal, sororal or civic organization not conducted for profit. However, a judge shall not serve as an officer, director, trustee or non-legal advisor if it is likely that the organization:

(i)   will be engaged in proceedings that would ordinarily come before the judge, or

(ii) will be engaged frequently in adversary proceedings in the court of which the judge is a member or in any court subject to the appellate jurisdiction of the court of which the judge is a member.

Fla. Code Jud. Conduct,Canon 4D A judge may serve as a member, officer, director or trustee or non-legal advisor of an organization or governmental agency devoted to the improvement of the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice as long as the organization:

(i) will not be engaged in proceedings that would ordinarily come before the judge; or

(ii) will not be engaged frequently in adversary proceedings in the court of which the judge is a member or any court subject to the appellate jurisdiction of the court of which the judge is a member.

Fla. Code Jud. Conduct,Canon 4A(1) Judge shall conduct all of the judge’s quasi-judicial activities so that they do not cast reasonable doubt on the judge’s capacity to act impartially as a judge.

Fla. Code Jud. Conduct,Canon 5A(1) Judge shall conduct all of the judge’s extra-judicial activities so that they do not cast reasonable doubt on the judge’s capacity to act impartially as a judge.

Fla. Code Jud. Conduct,Canon 4D(1), Commentary The changing nature of some organizations and their relationship to the law makes it necessary for a judge to regularly re-examine the activities of each organization with which the judge is affiliated to determine if it is proper for the judge to continue the affiliation. See also Fla. Code Jud. Conduct, Canon 5C(3)(a), Commentary.

Judge may serve as member of mortgage fraud task force because task force is devoted to improvement of the law, the legal system and the administration of justice; and it would involve no fundraising or promotion of private interests.  4D; 5C(2).

Judge may serve as member of the board of a local community children’s alliance, on a committee concerning family violence and its reduction, and on committees or organizations chaired by elected officials, even possibly in their election year, as long as these groups are not advocacy groups. 2C, 5A, and 5C(3).

Judge may participate in a local criminal advisory committee that would bring together representatives of various entities involved in the disposition of felony, misdemeanor, and traffic cases. 4, 5

Judge may serve as member of the Board of Directors of a public policy institute that researches and establishes dialogue on community-wide issues, then recommends and helps to implement timely solutions. 4, 5C(3)

Judgepresiding over juvenile delinquency court may belong to criminal justice and delinquency council open to practitioners and interested citizens and designed to facilitate interchange of information between the disciplines of the criminal justice system, inform and educate the public about the criminal justice system, perform community service, promote high standards of professional practice in the criminal system, and provide training programs. 4D

Judge may serve in a leadership capacity to implement nonpartisan citizen-developed recommendations to improve the community’s quality of life by improving race relations. 5A, 5C(3)

Judge may serve on the Board of Directors for an independent, non-partisan and non-profit organization which promotes, through thought and action, creative solutions to major private and public issues facing the people of Florida and the nation, such as, crime and prisons, constitutional review, public representation in the Legislature, greater participation by African-Americans in Dade County’s tourism industry, political campaign ethics, citizen participation in public decision, neighborhood community economic development, and hurricane catastrophic insurance. 5, 5D(1)(a) & (b), and 5C(3)(b)(i)

Chief Judge serving as member of task force created under the auspices of the Chief Judge to study gang related activities in the community and make appropriate recommendations regarding education of the public may write an introduction and history of the task force for an informational brochure, even if the Sheriff also writes comments for the brochure. 4D and 5C(2).

Judge may participate in the establishment of a county community justice coalition. 4, 4A, 4B

Judge may help organize and participate in a project designed to promote positive inter-group relations and understanding called, “Help Stamp Out Hate,” established nationally by the American Jewish Committee in conjunction with the National Conference of Christian and Jews, the National Council of Churches, and the National Conference of American Roman Catholic Bishops. 2B, 5B

Judge may serve as chair of task force designed to enhance community efforts to fight drugs and crime by evaluating governmental and private resources, but not fund-raising, initiating legislation, enforcing the law, or prosecuting crimes. 4,5

Judge may serve on the Progress 90 Board of Trustees, a non-profit community group representing a cross-section of the community and having as its sole mission to help citizens in setting and achieving community-wide goals as long as the organization is not conducted for economic or political advantage of its members and provided that it would not be an organization which would engage in proceedings that would ordinarily come before the judge or be in adversary proceedings in any court. 5B

Judge may continue to serve on regional planning council for a state university where the council has switched its focus from community awareness to fundraising, provided that the judge does not participate in the solicitation of funds.  But see JEAC Ops. 07-08 and 03-21; 5C.

Judge may not serve on board of trustees of a state university branch campus because it would constitute acceptance of a governmental position concerned with matters other than the improvement of the law, the legal system, the judicial branch, or the administration of justice.  4D; 5C(2) and Commentary; 5C(3).

County court judge may teach law-related subjects in police academy of local community college provided that the teaching activities do not cast reasonable doubt on the judge’s capacity to act impartially, demean the judicial office, or interfere with the proper performance of judicial duties; and that the judge reports any compensation received from the teaching in accordance with Canon 6. 2A, 4B, and 6.

Judge may participate in an interview for a textbook publisher concerning insight into the challenges, rewards and realities of working in the criminal justice system. There was no compensation involved. 4A and 4B.

Judge may not serve on the board of trustees of a public community college because it involves a governmental position concerned with fact or policy issues and not matters relating to the improvement of the law, the legal system or the administration of justice. 5C(2), (3)

Judge may serve on board of advisors for a professional reference publication about the criminal justice system and the mentally ill because such participation is a teaching-related activity concerning the law, the legal system and the administration of justice. 4, 4A, 4B, 5 and 5A.

While judge may publish an article on the effect of new legislation where that article serves to educate others about the status of the law, the judge may not include conclusions as to the constitutionality of that legislation because such conclusions could be taken as an indication of how the judge would rule on certain matters. 4A and 4B.

Judge may be a member of the Parent-Teacher Student Organization. 5B

Judge may serve on the Board of Overseers of Stetson College of Law. 5

Judge may serve as member of the Advisory Council of the Women’s Development Center at a university, that fosters interrelations with committee members and students involved in the study of business and develops ways to create new businesses particularly for women. 5

Judge may participate as a member of a development board for a parochial school in an effort to establish an endowment trust to help subsidize affordable tuition for all students as long as judge not soliciting personally. 5B(2)

Judge sitting on local canvassing board may accept reimbursement from the supervisor of elections to attend a seminar on canvassing because the reimbursement does not give rise to the appearance of impropriety.  The courts, election supervisors, and county commissioners are co-equals on canvassing boards; all are sworn to perform their duties impartially; and their decisions are public record and reviewable if properly challenged.  6A.

Judge may serve on the governing board of county’s Children Services Council which was statutorily created and requires a judge on the board. Judicial canons should be applied consistently with the statutes. See also Fla. Jud. Ethics Advisory Comm. Ops. 1992-11, 1993-46. 5C

DUI Countermeasure Schools

Judge may serve on the County Commission on Substance Abuse. 4D, 5C(2)

Judge may not serve on Board of Directors for an organization that operates DUI Countermeasure School because it also provides probation services for misdemeanor offenses. 4D

Judge may serve on Alcohol Drug Abuse and Mental Health District IV Planning Council, noting that the Florida Supreme Court rejected opinion 1986-8, and revitalized opinion 79-18. See also Fla. Jud. Ethics Advisory Comm. Ops. 1973-04, 1979-13, 1988- 24, 1993-23. 4C

Government Boards and Commissions

Photograph of judge dressed in judicial robes with accompanying identification of him or her as a judge cannot be used in billboards or other materials for public relations campaign conducted by county library system because it would involve the use of the prestige of judicial office to advance private interests.  2A; 2B; 5A; 5A(1), (2); 5B; 5C(2); 5C(b)(iii); and Commentary to Canons 2B and 5.

Judge may serve on the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission because it is concerned with improving the law and it is unlikely that it would be engaged in proceedings that would ordinarily come before the judge or frequently before the judge’s court.  Further, since the Commission is not a part of either the executive or legislative branch, no separation of powers concerns are implicated.  4; 4A, B, and D; 4D(1); 5; 5A; and 5C(2).

Judge may not serve on congressional district committee to select candidates for military academies because committee is governmental and not concerned with the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice.  4D, 5, 5C(2), and Commentary to Canon 5C(2).

Judge may not participate as member of ad hoc committee interviewing final candidates for County Attorney in judge’s county because of political nature of appointment. 2 and 5.

Judge may serve on the Governmental Commission on Marriage and Family Support Initiatives, formerly known as the Commission on Responsible Fatherhood. 5C(2)

Judge may not serve as a board member on the Florida Worker’s Compensation Insurance Guaranty Association. 4D, 5C

Judge may accept appointment from a local legislative body to its advisory Commission on the Status of Women as long as the Commission is not an advocacy group and it is concerned with the improvement of the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice. 4D, 5C(2)

Judge may not serve as an appointed member of a commission of municipal government charged with fiscal oversight of government funds. 4D, 4D(1), 5C(2)

Judge may not serve as spokesperson in advertising campaign by Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles encouraging the use of child seats and seat belts for children and advising as to laws mandating same because such participation would cast doubt on the judge’s ability to act impartially in cases where persons are charged with violating those laws. 2B and 4A.

Judge may not serve on a county fire board that functions to set policy and procedures for the county fire department, including handling budget matters, personnel guidelines, and selections for nominees for new fire chiefs. The judge would be placed in the position of advising the fire department on how to spend its money and conduct its operations and advising and recommending personnel procedures. 4D, 4D(1), 5C(2)

Ajudge may serve in a leadership capacity on the Mayor’s Victims’ Assistance Advisory Council (VAAC). The mission of VAAC is to ensure and enhance the rights of crime victims by providing a forum for the public and private community to work together for the development and implementation of effective programs and education, prevention, and intervention. 4D, 5C(2)

Judge should not serve on an advisory board that would oversee a federal block grant secured by the local police department. Service on such a board would place the judge in a position of advising on the local police department how it should spend its money and conduct its operations. Although such a function may be related to the administration of justice, the potential for conflict is quite high because the inquiring judge would in essence be serving as an advisor to the police department. 4D(1)

Judge may not serve on city council’s advisory commission on alcohol and tobacco. This commission was established by city ordinance and acts in an advisory capacity concerning legislation relating to alcohol and tobacco. 5G

Judge may not serve as a member of a committee charged by the county commission to study and recommend whether a county should become a chartered county. 5G

Ajudge may serve as a member and chair of a county criminal justice advisory board to study and advise the Board of County Commissioners about a new jail facility as long as the judge is the Chief Judge or the Chief Judge’s designee to examine the status of every inmate of the county jail. Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.050(b)(3), (8); § 951.26, Fla. Stat. This inquiry is materially distinguishable from Opinion 1987-05 [judge cannot serve as a member and chair of a county fine arts council]because the duties of the advisory board relate to new jail facilities, a law related matter, in which the judge would have valuable input because of the judge’s background and experience. 4, 5G

Judge may not serve as chairman of a county fine arts council. Canon 5G expressly prohibits a judge from accepting appointment to a governmental committee, etc., that is concerned with an issue of fact or policy matters other than the improvement of the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice. The judge could serve on the council in an ex officio capacity. 4, 5G

Judge may not accept a position as chairman of a committee charged with redistricting a county within the circuit in which the judge presently serves as chief judge. 5G

Juvenile Boards

Judge may serve as a member of a District juvenile justice board and local councils. See also Fla. Jud. Ethics Advisory Comm. Op. 2003-11. 4C, 5B

Judge may serve in an advisory capacity on the Leon Regional Juvenile Detention Center’s Community Advisory Board. See also Fla. Jud. Ethics Advisory Comm. Op. 2003-11. (no canons cited)

Bar Associations and Organizations

No impediment exists in Code of Judicial Conduct to a state judge’s remaining a member of a federal bar.  4D.

Judge’s mere attendance at educational seminars sponsored by criminal defense lawyers’ associations is permissible as long as the judge personally pays for the cost of the seminars, does not receive any gifts for attending, and the judge’s attendance is not used in any way to promote the seminars. 4B.

Judge-elect may continue to serve as member of Florida Bar Board of Governors until term on board expires, but judge may not seek reelection to board. 4, 4A, 4B, 4D, 5 and 5A.

Judge may remain as a member of the executive council of the trial lawyers section of The Florida Bar and the American Board of Trial Advocates. 4B

Judge may not belong to a voluntary bar association that endorses judicial candidates because membership would involve at least tacit endorsement of candidates, cast doubt on the judge’s ability to act impartially, and create the appearance of impropriety. 2, 4 and 7.

Judge may maintain membership in an email forum of real estate attorneys provided that judge limits participation to reading the posts and does not either ask or answer any questions. 2, 3B(7), 4, 5 and 5A.

Senior Judge subject to recall may serve on a judicial election campaign practices committee sponsored by the local bar association because the committee concerns the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice. 4, 4B.

Judge may be a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates which seeks to maintain and increase ethical and educational standards for trial lawyers. 4A

Judge’s membership in the Florida Academy of Trial Lawyers is precluded by Canon 4(A). 4A

Judge may not serve as an honorary judicial member of a committee formed by a local medical association and trial lawyers association. The committee was created for the purpose of fostering improved relations between the medical and legal professions. 2A, 4C, 5B

Judge may serve as chairman of the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar and may participate in some types of amicus activities. 5F

Judge may belong to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. (no canon cited)

Non-Profit Boards

Newly elected judge may continue to serve on board of a non-profit rural health clinic where the board does not participate in day-to-day management or fundraising, unless frequent disqualification would be necessary. 2A; 5A; 5C(3). 

Judge may serve as member of county’s affordable housing board and as a board member of county’s public policy institute because neither group is a governmental committee and the judge will not be called upon to participate in fundraising or membership solicitation.  5; 5B; 5C; and Commentary to Canon 5.

Judge may participate as a member of the board of directors of a Family Day Care Home Association, an organization made up of individual home providers of day care for preschoolers. 4C; 5B

Civic Organizations

Judge may speak to community groups about the dangers of online predators because the topic concerns the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice.  4B.

Judge who sits on advisory board of directors of a charitable organization may allow the judge’s name and position to be listed on the organization’s letterhead provided that there are comparable listings for the other members of the board.  5C(3)(b) and Commentary.

Judge, who serves in a leadership capacity of a community-based non-profit organization, may publish a letter inviting leaders to begin addressing issues raised in the organization’s study of race relations. 3, 5

Judge may serve on non­profit boards of directors for organizations that serve the needs of the blind, inspire excellence in leadership, and promote women in positions of leadership. 5, 5C(3)

Judge may serve as a trustee of a non-profit philanthropic trust, where judge will not be asked to provide legal services or advice, and the trust is not involved in significant litigation. 5C(3), 6A

Judge may maintain membership in organization which is nonprofit, nonpartisan and devoted to public affairs. 5A(1)(3), 5(C)(3)(b)(iii), 2B, and 2C.

Judge may serve as the president of a non-profit organization which provides cultural events to citizens of the county and benefits the community through various outreach programs. 5C(3)

Judge may serve as officer or director of local Kiwanis Club Foundation. 5C(3).

Judge may not make a taped public service announcement on behalf of local nonprofit groups, even if that announcement does not solicit donations or volunteers, because such an announcement would involve the use of the prestige of judicial office to advance those groups’ interests and tacitly encourage fund-raising and membership. 2B and 5C(3)(b)(iii).

Judge may serve on the executive board of a local Character Counts Coalition. 5C

Judge may serve as president of an advisory committee acting on behalf of a nonprofit organization dedicated to the placement of African-American children with adopting families. 4

Judge may not serve as chairperson of a Junior League’s ways and means committee although the judge’s function as chair would be confined to reviewing and planning fund-raising activities and not direct fund-raising. 4, 5

Judge may serve on the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army. (no canon cited)

Lobbying, Activist and Advocacy Groups

Judge may not attend and speak at a partisan ladies’ group meeting, even where topic concerns the law, the legal system, and the administration of justice, because judges are ethically precluded from appearing before partisan groups regardless of the subject matter except for a narrow exception in Canon 7 not relevant to this inquiry.  4B; 7; 7A(1)(d); 7B(2); 7C(2), (3).

Judge may participate in panel discussion of underage drinking organized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) as long as the panel is not a fundraiser and the judge is not called upon to support or endorse MADD or any of its legal positions.  Further, a judge’s mere attendance at such an event would also be allowed subject to the same restrictions.  2B; 4A(1); 4(B); 4(D); and Commentary to Canon 4D(1).

Judge may attend Guardian Ad Litem holiday party honoring volunteers because the Code of Judicial Conduct encourages judges to attend functions devoted to the improvement of the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice.  4B and Commentary.

Judge may participate in a court program involving eviction cases in which the judge refers tenants to receive federally funded rent loans. 4A(1),(2),(3); 4D(1)(a)(b),(2)(b),(d); and 5A(1)

General Master sitting in Family Division of Circuit Court may not serve as a member of an advisory committee for a Florida Assertive Community Treatment Team, an advocacy group. 5A(1)

Judge may not participate in a political action committee established to campaign for a sales tax increase to raise revenues for school funding because the committee is a political group created to campaign for a political cause not involving the administration of justice. 5C(3).

Judge may belong to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. However, pursuant to Canon 5C(3)(a), judge should continue to monitor the group to determine if it is proper to continue the affiliation. 5A, 5C(3), 5C(3)(a)

Judge may participate in Partners in Crisis, a group organized to lobby the legislature to increase funding for mental health and substance abuse treatment. 4A, 4B, 4C, 5C(3)(b)(iii) and Commentary to Canon 4B.

Judge may not serve as a member of the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) Broward Civil Rights Committee or as a member of the ADL Executive Committee. (no canon cited)

Judge may not be a member of the Adam Walsh Child Resource Center as it would detract from Judge’s function as neutral and detached magistrate. The Center actively seeks child protection legislation. 2A,B; 3C; 5B

Judge may accept chairmanship of Anti-Defamation League’s Florida Regional Board of B’Nai B’rith. 5B(2)

Hospital Boards

Judge may serve on the board of a hospice provided that it is non-profit and the judge does not participate in any fundraising activities.  However, if it reasonably appears that the judge has been invited to the board only to gain the prestige of judicial office for fundraising or membership solicitation, the judge should decline the invitation.  5C(3).

Newly-elected county judge may not continue to serve on hospital ethics committee because membership could give rise to the appearance of impropriety and conflict of interest; committee decisions could result in litigation within the judge’s circuit; and service to the committee would also most likely involve the judge’s being called upon to render legal opinions. 2A, 5A(1), 5C(3)(a) and 5G

Judge may not serve on the Board or Executive Board of a local, not-for-profit hospital. The fact that the judge did not presently hear any cases involving the hospital was not significant. See also Fla. Jud. Ethics Advisory Comm. Ops. 1983-09, 1991-32, 1994-02, 2003-07. 5B

Domestic Violence

Newly elected judge may not continue to serve on a domestic violence task force where the force is chaired by the director of the local domestic violence shelter because such service would detract from the judge’s duty of impartiality.  No canons cited.

Judge may be a member of a domestic violence council where there are members on the council who operate for-profit batterers’ intervention programs. 4B, 5A(1), 5B(1)(a), Civic and Charitable Activities, now renumbered as 5C(3)(a)(i) & (ii), and Commentary

Judge may not ethically belong to a victim’s rights counsel, which among other things, sponsors (unofficial) training for judges; reviews judicial rulings and decisions relating to sentences, referrals to batterers’ intervention programs, the ordering of child support, etc.; and supports bills and legislation. Membership in such an organization would cast a reasonable doubt as to the judge’s capacity to act impartially.2A, 3, 4, 4A, 5B

Judge cannot serve on the Domestic Violence Clemency Panel. 2A, 4A, 5C

Judge who handles all battery cases that arise in a large part of the judge’s county should not serve on a Domestic Violence Task Force created by the governor and chaired by the Executive Director of a local domestic violence shelter. 2A, 5B

Judge may serve on the Governor’s Task Force on Domestic Violence as long as the activities are law related and gender neutral. 5B

Judge may not belong to Women in Distress, a non-profit, quasi-governmental organization, which provides shelter, food, clothing, and counseling, to battered women and their children. The organization also provides court-ordered group and individual counseling to defendants convicted of spouse abuse and attempts to educate the community on domestic violence. The judge’s involvement would detract from the judge’s role as an impartial magistrate. 3C; 5B; 2A,B

Legal Aid

Judge who was formerly a staff attorney for a legal services organization may not submit a congratulatory message for inclusion in an advertisement for that organization’s commemorative event because the judge’s participation could be viewed as an endorsement.  2B; 4D(1)(a), (b).

Appellate court judge may allow his or her clerk to sit on the Board of Directors of Florida Legal Services so long as Florida Legal Services does not engage directly in litigation or represent impoverished people. 3C(2), 4D and 4D(2).

Generally, judge may not serve as an officer or director of any legal aid organization because of the possible appearance of partiality, possible advocacy by the organization, and possible fund-raising activities by the organization. 4D, 5, 5B(1), and 5C(3).

Judge may not serve as a member of the board of directors of an “organization which was established some years ago” sponsored by the county bar association to represent the poor when the attorneys appear before the Judge and other judges in the circuit. 2B

Judge may not be a member on the board of directors of a Legal Aid Society. 5

Mental Health and Other Boards that May Pose Conflict

A judge’s service on the board of directors of the “Step Program” conflicted with Canon 5B(2). The purpose of the Step Program is to assist in the rehabilitation of felony offenders. The program’s entire funding source would be an additional dollar imposed by judges in the sentencing of felons. 4C, 5B

Judge who recently transferred to the felony division should discontinue his/her service on the board of directors for the Mental Health Center, Inc., a non-profit corporation providing service to the chronically mentally ill in the judge’s county until the judge is transferred to the civil division. 5B

Judge must decide whether the Haven, a non-profit organization that would provide shelter for abused or abandoned children under the age of six would ordinarily come before him in assessing whether to serve on the Haven’s Board of Directors. 5B(1), (2)

Canon 5B(l) proscribes services by a judge as an officer or director of a county mental health center. See also Fla. Jud. Ethics Advisory Comm. Ops. 1974-12, 1975-02, 1975-05. 5

Homeowners’ Associations

Notwithstanding that a senior judge never presided over civil cases, he or she could not serve on the board of a homeowners’ association because association was likely to be engaged in litigation before court of which senior judge was a member. 2, 5 and 7.

Judge may not serve on the board of directors of a condominium association because it is likely the board would be regularly engaged in proceedings that would ordinarily come before the judge or would be regularly engaged in the adversary proceedings before a court. See also Fla. Jud. Ethics Advisory Comm. Ops. 1981-07 & 2004-10. 5B

Judge may not serve as advisory board member, with or without compensation, for an internet company that would provide free information regarding divorce because a judge is generally prohibited from serving as an advisor or employee of any business entity.   This prohibition applies even if the judge’s affiliation is kept private.  However, the judge may write an informative article about the divorce process for posting on the company’s website provided that the article does not endorse any products, services, persons or materials.  The judge may also receive compensation for this article.  2A; 2B; 4; 4A; 4B; 4D; 5A; 5B; 5C; 5D.

Judge may participate in panel as part of a continuing legal education seminar, even if the sponsoring organization is for-profit, as long as the judge’s participation is educational in nature and the judge does not endorse any products or materials.   The judge may also receive an honorarium and appear in advertising for the seminar so long as the advertising is dignified and does not imply that the judge endorses any products or services.  2B; 4A(3); 4B; 4D(2)(a), (d); 5A(3); 5C(3)(b); 6A; and 6B.

Judge may not permit owner of documentary film about a reading instruction program to use an interview of the judge in the film where the film will be commercially marketed in support of the reading program.  Even though the judge did not explicitly endorse the program in the interview, the judge’s appearance would constitute a tacit endorsement of the reading program and hence lend the prestige of the judge’s office to a private interest in violation of Canon 2B.  2B.

While senior judge subject to recall may serve as a freelance reporter on sports and human interest issues for newspaper, judge may not be employed by the newspaper.  Also, the judge may not take any ownership interest in the newspaper that would require the judge to participate in the management or operation of the newspaper.  5A;5D(3).

Judge may not serve on the Honorary Advisory Board of Directors of a beach resort association. (no canon cited)

Law Enforcement and Fire

Judge may not join the Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary, even in a purely administrative role served outside of the judge’s circuit, because it would cast reasonable doubt on the judge’s impartiality and interfere with the proper performance of judicial duties.  4A; 5A; and Commentary to Canon 5C(2).

Newly elected judge may not continue to serve on a sexual assault response team operated by the sheriff’s office because such participation could cast reasonable doubt on the judge’s impartiality.  5C(2).

Newly elected judge may not continue to serve on the mounted unit of the sheriff’s department, which is dedicated to searching for lost individuals and evidence accessible by horseback but not vehicle or foot, because such service would create an appearance of partiality.  The service would involve prolonged, familiar contact with the sheriff’s office, and the judge could be assigned to criminal matters.  Also, it would not be practical to try and separate the collection of evidence from the search for persons and thus limit participation to non-law enforcement activities.  2;5.

Civil Traffic Infraction Hearing Officer could not attend a local police department’s Citizens Police Academy because the academy would meet two times a week for a six-week period, and this prolonged, familiar contact with the local police department could cast doubt on the hearing officer's impartiality, interfere with his or her duties, and detract from the dignity of his or her office. 2A and Commentary, 4A, and 5A.

Judge may not serve on a county fire board that functions to set policy and procedures for the county fire department. 4D, 4D(1), 5C(2)

Judgeshould not serve on the Board of Directors of the Police Officers’ Assistant Trust, Inc. (no canon cited)

Judge may not sit as an advisory member to panel to deal with city’s police sergeant promotion process. A judge should not accept appoint to a governmental committee, commission, or other position that is concerned with issue of fact or policy on matters other than the improvement of the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice. 5G

Judge may not join a county association of police chiefs, a non-profit corporation with membership consisting of police chiefs and other high ranking officials from all levels of government. The association’s goals are to promote an efficient policy system, assist in facilitating the administration of justice, suppress crime, and advocate the reform of laws for public safety, protection, and welfare. Such membership would reflect adversely upon the judge’s impartiality and is prohibited by Canon 5B. 5B

Specific Social, Fraternal, Sororal or Religious Groups

Judge may be a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. 2C

Judge may be a member in two social clubs — an exclusive men’s club and an Italian American social club. 5B

Judge may be a member of B’nai B’rith. 5B