Opinion 90-119

September 18, 1990

NOTE: Please note that Opinion 11-100 overrules this prior Opinion 90-119.

Digest:         A part-time judge, who also is employed as a reporter for a local newspaper, may report on political events including campaigns, meetings and political fundraisers.

Rules:          22 NYCRR §100.5(h) and 100.7

Opinion:

         A part-time judge, who also is employed as a reporter for a local newspaper, inquires whether the judge, in the course of employment as a reporter, may attend and report on political events including campaigns, meetings and political fundraisers in the community.

         As stated in previous Opinion 90-84 of this Committee, section 100.5(h) of the Rules of the Chief Administrator permits part-time judges to accept employment which is not incompatible with the judicial office and does not conflict or interfere with the proper performance of the judge’s duties. Section 100.7 of the Rules of the Chief Administrator prohibits all political activity by judges, including contributions to and participation in any political event, except in certain limited circumstances.

         It is the Committee’s opinion that the inquiring judge may attend and report on political affairs in the judge’s capacity as a reporter for a local newspaper. However, the judge must refrain from indicating in the articles any personal support for the candidates at the political events.