Opinion 90-30

March 1, 1990

Digest:         A part-time judge may write a letter to the town board concerning the removal of junk vehicles.

Rules:          22 NYCRR § 100.5

Opinion:

         A part-time judge asks whether it would be permissible to send a letter to the town board recommending that it establish a method and procedure for disposing of junk vehicles. The matter does not appear to be controversial or political.

         Section 100.5 of the Rules of the Chief Administrator permits judges to engage in civic activities, including writing about non-legal subjects, so long as the judge’s activity or comments do not detract from the dignity of judicial office or interfere with the performance of judicial duties.

         Here, the judge’s expression of his opinion concerning the town’s adopting a method and procedure for the disposal of abandoned cars within the town is not prohibited by the rules.