Judges Can Moonlight as Artists, Says Ethics Panel
An ethics panel has given the green light to New York judges who wish to alleviate the paucity of pay raises for the past 12 years by moonlighting as artists.
So long as they retain a third party, such as an agent or publisher, to market their artistic efforts, they may exhibit in a gallery or otherwise sell their work in a standard manner, according to a written opinion Friday by the state Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics. Likewise, judges may also accept money for playing an instrument in a musical gig.
Such income must be “occasional” and must come from parties unlikely to appear before the judge in court.
“The impact of the decision remains to be seen, as New York’s judiciary is not particularly well known for breeding or attracting artists,” writes the New York Law Journal in an article reprinted in New York Lawyer (reg. req.).
A court spokesman was unable to identify any painters or photographers presently serving on the state court bench, the article notes.
