Opinion 23-77

Short-Form Opinion

June 15, 2023

Question:    May a full-time judge donate $100 to sponsor an award at a local Independence Day parade organized by a not-for-profit civic entity, where the judge’s connection will be announced at the end of the parade and the parade is a non-political, non-fund raising event? 

Discussion:  We have advised that a judge may make donations to a wide range of non-political not-for-profit entities and need not conceal his/her identity as a judge in doing so. Therefore, you may make a charitable contribution by sponsoring an award at the local Independence Day parade.[1]  You may also permit the organizer to acknowledge your donation by including your name and title in the program and announcing your sponsorship at the parade.

Enclosed:    Opinions 20-174; 17-154; 01-28; 95-102.

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[1] The inquirer does not provide any information whatsoever about the criteria or significance (if any) of the award he/she wishes to sponsor.  We note that a judge who wishes to sponsor a particular award should carefully consider whether doing so is consistent with generally applicable limitations on judicial speech and conduct, including the prohibitions on political activity and fund-raising (22 NYCRR 100.4[C][3][b][i], [iv]; 100.5[A][1]).