Opinion 78-15

June 27, 1978

Re: Canon 7B

Dear Judge:

The Committee on Standards of Conduct Governing Judges acknowledges your letter posing fifteen numbered questions. It is the view of the Committee (unanimously I believe) that most, if not all, of your questions have been answered by prior opinions. It is not, of course, within the jurisdiction of the Committee to advise or manage a campaign for judicial office. The Committee's response to your several questions may be summarized as follows: A candidate for judicial office should not campaign on a platform of partiality for specific persons or groups, nor should he (or she) commit himself (or herself) in advance on disputed legal issues. The candidate should not campaign on views or solutions to disputed political issues. As provided by Canon 7B(1)(c) a candidate "should not make pledges or promises of conduct in office other than the faithful and impartial performance of the duties of the office; announce his views on disputed legal or political issues, or misrepresent his identity, qualifications, present position, or other fact.

Sincerely yours,

Tyrie A. Boyer, Chairman
Committee on Standards of Conduct Governing Judges

TAB/sw

Participating members: Judges Boyer, Carlisle, Haverfield, Hewitt, Letts, O'Connell, Stephenson, Turner and Samuel J. Powers, Attorney