Index to the Opinions

Judicial Ethics Advisory Opinions

of the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee

These documents contain all advisory opinions issued by the Delaware Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee and by its predecessor, the Delaware Judicial Proprieties Committee. These opinions have been issued pursuant to Delaware Court on the Judiciary Rule 18 and to the rules of the Delaware Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee. The Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee is authorized to "express its [advisory] opinion on proper judicial conduct with respect to the Delaware Judges' Code of Judicial Conduct [etc.]," Del. Jud. Ct. R. 18(b)(1). An index to all opinions is also provided.

Date of Opinion	Summary of Opinion	Opinion Number
April 20, 2009	The Delaware Judges’ Code of Judicial Conduct does not prohibit a Justice of the Peace from communicating with a police officer who is a brother-in-law, provided that the communications are purely administrative in nature. Further, a Justice of the Peace may hear cases involving police officers from that department, as long as the brother-in-law is not a witness. Canons 1.2, 2.3, 2.9, and 2.11. This opinion is not being filed in redacted form because confidentiality was waived by the requestor.	JEAC 2009-2
April 8, 2009	The Delaware Judges Code of Conduct does not prohibit civil Judges in the Justice of the Peace Courts in [redacted] County from presiding over proceedings in which a former clerk is the designated representative of an artificial entity party absent some personal relationship between a Judge and the former clerk which could call into question the Judge’s impartiality due to personal bias or prejudice, or a feeling on the part of the Judge that the former relationship will influence the Judge’s decision in a particular case. Canons 1.2, 2.3, 2.4, and 2.11.	JEAC 2009-1 Redacted
August 26, 2008	The Delaware Judges Code of Conduct does not prohibit a judicial intern from serving in that position when his or her spouse is a candidate for political office provided the judicial intern adheres to certain restrictions on the intern’s freedom of action and does not actively participate in any political or campaign-related activity. Canons 1, 2, 3, and 7.	JEAC 2008-3
April 14, 2008	The Delaware Judges Code of Conduct finds it permissible for a judge, through their family business, to continue to bid on contracts and submit estimates to various executive department agencies of the State of Delaware, for construction and repair of furniture, for which the judge receives compensation. Canon 5 and 6.	JEAC 2008-2
February 20, 2008	The Delaware Judges Code of Conduct does not prohibit a judge's spouse from running for an elected seat in the Delaware General Assembly. The Judge may continue their service as a judge during the campaign and after the election. Canon 1, 2 and 7.	JEAC 2008-1
September 26, 2007	A judge may serve on the membership committee of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges with the restrictions outlined in the opinion. Canon 4 and 5.	JEAC 2007-4
June 29, 2007	The Delaware Judges Code of Conduct prohibits a judge from presiding over criminal proceedings on charges filed when that judge was the Attorney General. Also, the committee concluded that a judge is disqualified from presiding over criminal proceedings on charges that resulted from investigations in which the judge was personally and substantially involved in which an Attorney General’s subpoena was issued. Canon 2 & 3.	JEAC 2007-3
May 9, 2007	A Judge is not necessarily disqualified for one year or otherwise from hearing cases involving either the former partner or former associate of husband’s firm. Judges must be careful to avoid situations in which their impartiality reasonably might be questioned. Canon 3.	JEAC 2007-2
March 5, 2007	A Judge should not serve as an auctioneer at a Little League fundraising event. The Judge may attend as a member of that organization, but should not be involved in soliciting funds for the organization. Canon 5.	JEAC 2007-1
November 28, 2006	A Judge should not accept an appointment as Chair of the Governor’s Consortium on Hispanic Affairs. Canon 5.	JEAC 2006-7
August 14, 2006	Service as a member of the Nominating Committee would violate Canon 2 that a judge avoid even the appearance of impropriety.	JEAC 2006-6
June 16, 2006	A judicial officer who remains on active duty designation is prohibited from activating their real estate agent's license and entering into a professional relationship of real estate agent for a real estate brokerage. Canons 5C and 5D.	JEAC 2006-5
April 7, 2006	A Judge may serve in a leadership position with the Boy Scouts of America (“BSA”) notwithstanding that the BSA maintains a policy of prohibiting homosexual scout leaders.	JEAC 2006-4
March 21, 2006	A Judge may serve as a Special Editorial Advisor for the State Defense Force Publication Center.	JEAC 2006-3
February 22, 2006	Judge should decline to join the Board of Directors of the Police Athletic League in order to avoid an appearance of partiality.	JEAC 2006-2
January 6, 2006	A court employee may run for elective office in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Court Employees as adopted by the Supreme Court of Delaware.	JEAC 2006-1
December 14, 2005	Judge may attend a Holiday Party hosted by Toys for Tots. Canon7 and 5B.	JEAC 2005-4
December 7, 2005	Judge should not attend nor speak at event that has been found by the committee to be a "political gathering." Canons 7 and 2B.	JEAC 2005-3
October 4, 2005	Proposed Policy Directive adequately addresses any conflict of interest or perceived conflict of interest that may exist arising from the assignment of judicial or other professional responsibilities to the Judge's father. Canons 2A & 2 B.	JEAC 2005-2
January 19, 2005	Judge may not initiate a professional affiliation with wife's real estate brokerage agency since such affiliation would violate Canons 5(C) and 5(D) of the Delaware Judges' Code of Conduct.	JEAC 2005-1
December 30, 2004	Judge may attend an awards banquet hosted by the sister of a litigant who had appeared before the judge without violating Canons 2(a) and 2(B) of the Delaware Judges' Code of Conduct.	JEAC 2004-6
December 16, 2004	Judge may accept employment as a basketball referee for a non-profit organization and receive reasonable compensation without violation of Canons 5(B) and 5(C) of the Delaware Judges' Code of Conduct.	JEAC 2004-5
November 1, 2004	Judge may hire brother's "niece-in-law" as a law clerk without violation of Canon 3B(4) of the Delaware Judges' Code of Conduct.	JEAC 2004-4
September 8, 2004	Whether the prospective disqualification of an Associate Judge from cases involving the parent of his Judicial Secretary will lead to the disqualification of other Judges of the court in those matters and whether the employment of this Judicial Secretary creates a conflict or the appearance of impropriety. Canon 3.	JEAC 2004-3
August 26, 2004	Arrangements with a former law firm for withdrawing from and severing financial ties. Canon 5C.	JEAC 2004-2
April 13, 2004	Authoring a foreword to an autobiography authored by a friend. Canons 2B, 4A, and 5A.	JEAC 2004-1
March 19, 2002	Attendance at an event at which funds will be raised to complete a sculpture of a former Wilmington Mayor. Canon 7.	JEAC 2002-3
February 27, 2002	Participation in Family Court "On-Call" for Ex Parte Custody Petitions. Canons 2A, 2B, and 3C(1).	JEAC 2002-2
January 11, 2002	Judge may not perform volunteer work for detention facility to which Judge may make referrals; Judge may not loan a pony to facility; but Judge may make outright donation of pony to facility. Canon 5B.	JEAC 2002-1
October 19, 2001	Judge may serve on Board of Directors for the Delaware Military Academy, Inc. Canon 5.	JEAC 2001-2
May 15, 2001	Judge may serve as "Teen Court" volunteer judge. Canons 4 and 5.	JEAC 2001-1
June 8, 2000	Judge may serve on the Board of Directors of the First State Community Action Agency. Canon 5B.	JEAC 2000-3
May 25, 2000	Private attorney who is a member of State House of Representatives nominated by Governor for judgeship, but not yet confirmed, may participate in Memorial Day parade sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars. Canons 5B, 5G and 7.	JEAC 2000-2
May 23, 2000	Judge should not preside over any proceedings where a party is represented by judge's former firm or by firm of judge's spouse given the particular nature of the lawyer/relative relationships. Canon 2 and 3(C)(1). (Dissent to the contrary)	JEAC 2000-1
November 29, 1999	Judge should not serve on Charitable Gaming Task Force created by the General Assembly. Canons 2,4,5.B and 5G.	JEAC 1999-3
August 23, 1999	Judge may engage in musical entertainment business subject to certain conditions. Canon 5.C(1).	JEAC 1999-2
April 22, 1999	Judge should not serve as Chairperson or as a member of the Ethics Review Committee of a local school district. Canons 2,4,5.B and 5G.	JEAC 1999-1
August 31, 1998	Judge should not "ride along" with a police officer to observe police duties since that activity does not promote integrity and independence of judiciary and creates an appearance of impropriety. Canons 1.A., 2 and 2.A.	JEAC 1998-4
February 18, 1998	Court Commissioner could remain in a musical band that sells its recordings to raise money for non-profit charities, but should not personally engage in solicitation. Canon 5.B.(2).	JEAC 1998-3
February 5, 1998	Judge should not serve on a committee of judge's church whose purpose is to collect unpaid tuition due to a school operated by the church. Canons 5.B.(2) and 2.B.	JEAC 1998-2
January 23, 1998	Judge could serve on the "Continuing Advisory Council" of a university since the university is not likely to regularly engage in proceedings in the judge's court and since the business of the Council is not conducted for economic or political advantage of its members. Canons 5.A. and 5.B.	JEAC 1998-1
December 9, 1997	Judge should not provide testimonial and photograph for law school's capital campaign. Canon 5.B.(2).	JEAC 1997-5
October 20, 1997	1) Judge need not be disqualified where the father of a prospective witness in a pending case is a painting subcontractor who is completing painting work in the judge's home; 2) Judge should nevertheless disclose relevant facts. Canons 2 and 3.	JEAC 1997-4
September 23, 1997	Although Judge's impartiality might reasonably be questioned where medical professionals treating that judge's child appear as expert witnesses before that judge, the judge may, if satisfied of impartiality, follow the procedure for remittal of disqualification. Canons 3.C. and 3.D.	JEAC 1997-3
September 22, 1997	Judge may serve as an independent agent soliciting customers for long distance telephone accounts so long as solicitation is minimal and is limited to persons whose presence in a case would require disqualification by that judge in any event. Canons 2.B., 5.C.(1) and (2).	JEAC 1997-2
April 11, 1997	Judge may research, document and publish any findings with regard to the unsuccessful efforts to integrate Milford High School in 1954. Canons 2B, 3.A.(6), 3.C.(2) and 5.C.(2).	JEAC 1997-1
September 11, 1996	1) Judge may serve as successor trustee for trusts created by judge's close friends for the friends' children; 2) judge may also serve as an "alternate patient advocate" for judge's close friends if health care decisions must be made on their behalf. Canon 5.D.	JEAC 1996-3
July 25, 1996	Judge may serve as an honorary chair of an important anniversary at a local independent school but must abide by Canon 5's proscriptions re fund raising. Canon 5.B.	JEAC 1996-2
May 28, 1996	1) Judge may accept an invitation to speak at Australian law schools and at certain other Australian legal gatherings on the role of the Supreme Court of Delaware in corporate law in the United States; 2) reimbursement for this law-related activity is permitted. Canons 4.A., 5.C.(4) and 6.	JEAC 1996-1
March 25, 1996	Justices of the Peace need not automatically recuse themselves from cases in which one of the lawyers is a member of the Magistrate Screening Committee. Canons 1, 3.A.(2) and 3.C.(1).	JPC 1996-1
April 11, 1995	Judge may participate in a Collection Law Seminar sponsored by a for-profit entity under certain conditions. Canons 2.B., 4.A. and 6.	JPC 1995-1
September 29, 1994	1) Justice of the Peace could preside "in same district" where that judge's son is a sergeant with the Delaware State Police, Canon 3.C.(1)(d)(iv); 2) Justice of the Peace should, however, not work in Milford area or hear cases involving Milford Police Department since Milford Police Department is of "smaller size," Canon 3.C.(1)(d)(iii); 3) Justice of the Peace should not serve as a member or officer of the National Legislative Committee of the Marine Corps League, Canons 4 and 5.B.	JPC 1994-2
January 6, 1994	Judge's participation in a non-profit bar review course would be proper. Canons 2 and 6.	JPC 1994-1
May 8, 1992	Sole practitioner confirmed as Family Court judge could "wind up pending matters" in Family Court before investiture. (Dissent to the contrary).	JPC 1992-5
February 11, 1992	Judge could serve as Chairman of Board of Directors of a non-profit theatrical organization. Canon 5.B.(2).	JPC 1992-4
January 9, 1992	Judge could serve on the State House of Representatives Labor and Human Resource Special Committee on State Personnel Re-classifications Canons 4.B. and C.	JPC 1992-3
January 9, 1992	Judge's friendship with practicing attorney (and where judge was in that attorney's wedding party) does not require disqualification. Canon 2.	JPC 1992-2
January 9, 1992	Judge may "as a parent and citizen" serve as a member of the "Delaware 2000 [Educational] Forum." Canons 4 and 5.B.	JPC 1992-1
October 7, 1991	Judge should not serve as Chair of the Mental Health Code Revision Committee since its purpose was to recommend proposed legislation. Canons 4 and 5.	JPC 1991-1
October 23, 1990	Deputy Alderman in Newark Alderman's Court who was a part-time instructor at the University of Delaware should be disqualified from University of Delaware cases or cases involving that Deputy Alderman's own students.	JPC 1990-1
December 19, 1989	Judge could speak at conference on matrimonial law sponsored by for-profit corporation. (Opinion mentions but does not discuss fact that judge was offered no compensation for participation nor would any reasonable expenses be reimbursed). Canons 2.B. and 4.A.	JPC 1989-1
March 23, 1987	Judge could serve on Board of Directors of the Delaware Community Foundation. Canon 5.	JPC 1987-2
March 23, 1987	Newly appointed judge should ask candidate for political office to be relieved of judge's prior pledge to make a campaign contribution. Canon 7.A.(3),(4) and 7.C.; 2) judge may serve as a trustee of a religious organization that maintains and manages church properties. Canon 5.B.	JPC 1987-1
December 23, 1986	Judge could not teach in bar review course offered by both Delaware Law School and by the Delaware State Bar Association since it was "in [commercial] competition" with another bar review course run by a member of the Delaware Bar. Canon 4.A.	JPC 1986-1
September 30, 1985	Judge who taught law at Delaware Law School could not serve as an arbitrator. Canon 5.E.	JPC 1985-2
April 17, 1985	Judge should not serve as a member of the Dover Charter Review Committee. Canons 5.B. and 5.G.	JPC 1985-1

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