Opinion 10-74

July 1, 2010

Hon.

Dear Justice:

         This responds to your inquiry (10-74) asking whether you may, at the invitation of the local police department, give a lecture about the Penal Law and the Criminal Procedure Law to a group of high school students who have enrolled in a mock police academy internship program.

         The Committee has previously opined that it is ethically permissible for a judge to speak about the law, subject to certain limitations. Enclosed, for your convenience, are Opinions 06-15 and 96-44 which address this issue.

Very truly yours,

George D. Marlow

Appellate Division, First Dep’t (Ret.)

Committee Chair

Encls.