September 14, 2000
Digest:
A full-time judge may accept appointment by a county legislature to a county
task force that will study the feasibility of creating a county juvenile
detention/treatment center.
Rule:
22 NYCRR 100.4(C)(2)(a).
Opinion:
A full-time judge inquires whether the judge may accept appointment by a county legislature to a county task force that will study the feasibility of creating a county juvenile detention/treatment center. Currently, juveniles in the judge's county are transported to and served by out-of-county facilities.
Section 100.4(C)(2)(a) of the Rules Governing Judicial Conduct provides, in part, that:
In the Committee's view, service on the county task force is ethically permissible, in light of the fact that it would involve consideration of matters directly dealing with improvements in the administration of justice.(2) (a) A full-time judge shall not accept appointment to a governmental committee or commission or other governmental position that is concerned with issues of fact or policy in matters other than the improvement of the law, the legal system or the administration of justice.