Judge Can Speak at Same Event as Obama, Ethics Opinion Says
A Florida ethics opinion says a judge may speak about the foreclosure crisis at a high school rally on economic recovery, even though it’s possible President Obama will also appear at the same program.
The opinion by the Florida Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee notes that the judge intended to speak about the judiciary’s obligation to be fair to all litigants, including property owners and lenders.
The judge was worried that his appearance could be construed as supporting the president or his political party. But the advisory committee said judges are both permitted and encouraged to give speeches about the judicial process. “A judge speaking on the same program with a politician will remind the audience of the different roles which the speakers play in our system of government,” the opinion said.
The opinion cautioned that the judge may need to take additional steps to make clear he wasn’t taking a position either for or against the president.
Hat tip to the Legal Profession Blog.
