Helping Judges Look Before They Leap: Judicial Ethics Advisory Committees

Recently, in publicly reprimanding an appellate judge for using his judicial position to solicit paid speaking engagements, the Illinois Courts Commission stated that it was “frankly puzzled” that the judge had not sought guidance from “the excellent advisory opinions produced by the Illinois Judges Association’s committee on judicial ethics,” as well as the Commission’s prior decisions.1 That case is a reminder to judges of the assistance available if they ask before they act. Approximately 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the United States Judicial Conference have judicial ethics advisory committees to which judges can submit inquiries regarding the propriety of contemplated future action under the code of judicial conduct. The Center for Judicial Ethics website has a table with information on each committee 2 and links to advisory committee websites.3