For Public Comment: Judges Participating in School Fundraising

The California Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions (CJEO) invites public comment on a draft formal opinion addressing whether judges can be involved in their children's school fundraisers. The specific question raised was whether a judge, whose child is participating in a school fundraiser, may send a fundraising website link to neighbors and friends who already pledged to participate in the fundraiser after being asked by the child.

In CJEO Formal Opinion 2024-026, the committee advises that while judges may help plan fundraising activities for community and charitable organizations, including schools, they are prohibited from personally participating in that fundraising. A judge who emails a link to a fundraising website to friends and neighbors on behalf of their child would be participating in fundraising in violation of the code, even when the recipients of the email already agreed to donate.

While judges are generally aware that they may not personally participate in fundraising activities, questions tend to arise when the judge's involvement is on behalf of another. This opinion seeks to clarify judges' ethical obligations in this specific scenario," said committee member Commissioner Belinda Handy.

The committee's Invitation to Comment is posted on CJEO's website. Comments are due by Sept. 13, 2024, and may be submitted by CJEO's online comment form, by email to [email protected], or by mail to:

Jody Vakili
Legal Advisor
California Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions
350 McAllister Street
San Francisco, California 94102

All comments submitted to CJEO may be posted on CJEO's website for public review unless clearly marked as confidential.

Public comments are an important part of CJEO's process. These comments provide useful insight and help ensure that the committee considers all potential solutions, consequences, and points of view, which serves to improve the final opinion.

About the Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions (CJEO)
The Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinionsis a 12-member advisory committee that includes appellate justices, trial court judges, two retired judges, and a commissioner. The committee is appointed and authorized by the California Supreme Court, but its work is independent of the court, the Judicial Council, and all other entities. Its opinions are advisory and do not necessarily reflect the views of the California Supreme Court or any other entity.

The committee issues formal, informal, and expedited advisory opinions on proper judicial conduct pursuant to the California Code of Judicial Ethics and other authorities. CJEO's websiteincludes advisory opinions, resources dedicated to specific judicial assignments and issues, and extensive judicial ethics tools and resource materials for the benefit of the bench and the public.