Opinion 93-102

October 28, 1993

Digest:         A Family Court judge may participate in the planning and development of a Youth Court under the auspices of a local Youth Board and the United States Attorney's Office.

Rules:          22 NYCRR 100.4(c); 100.5(b)(1)

Opinion:

         A Family Court judge inquires whether the judge may serve on a committee to develop a Youth Court. The program is under the auspices of the United States Attorney's Office and the local Youth Board. The target population to be served by the program are youngsters of the same age group as those categorized as Persons In Need of Supervision and juvenile delinquents. The judge does not know whether said Court, once established, would have any connection with Family Court.

         The judge's initial participation is permissible under section 100.4 of the Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts. However, once the program has been established the judge must consider Rule 100.5(b)(1) in ascertaining whether to have further involvement with the program.