Opinion 20-120

December 1, 2020

Dear :

                We respond to your inquiry (20-120) about you and your first-degree relative both serving in the same town justice court simultaneously, as your child is considering running for a vacant seat on the court.

                From an ethics perspective, the Rules Governing Judicial Conduct “do not prevent [a] judge’s child from serving as … [a] judge of the same court on which the inquiring parent judge also serves” (Opinion 91-101).

                However, we cannot advise you on any potential legal issues or prohibitions.

                We enclose Opinion 91-101 for your review.

                                              Very truly yours,

                                             Hon. Margaret Walsh

                                              Justice of the Supreme Court

                                              Committee Co-Chair

                                              Hon. Lillian Wan

                                              Acting Justice of the Supreme Court

                                              Committee Co-Chair

Encls.