May a judge be honored at an annual dinner as the recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, and may he be listed as the recipient in the invitation to the dinner that solicits ticket and advertisement purchases? Answer: Yes.

I. Is a judge disqualified in cases in which a hospital is a party when his daughter, in her capacity as executrix of her grandmother’s estate, has filed a wrongful death action against the hospital? Answer: The judge is disqualified in medical liability cases in which the hospital is a party.
II. Is the judge disqualified from hearing other cases in which an attorney in the foregoing case represents a party? Answer: Yes, since the judge’s spouse has an interest in the outcome of the wrongful death action.
III. Is the judge disqualified from hearing cases in which other members of the firms of the individual attorneys in the wrongful death case appear? Answer: No, so long as the other attorneys do not assist with the wrongful death action and absent additional circumstances.
IV. May any disqualification arising in the foregoing circumstances be remitted? Answer: No.

Is a judge disqualified to hear cases in which a party is represented by an attorney whom the judge previously found guilty of criminal contempt in connection with violation of one of the judge’s court orders? Answer: No, not unless the judge has an actual bias or prejudice concerning a party as a result, or the particular circumstances create a reasonable question as to the judge’s impartiality.

Is a judge disqualified to hear cases in which a party is represented by an attorney who is a referee appointed by the judge to assist on a regular basis with the judge’s child support cases? Answer: Yes.

Would transfer of an ownership interest in a bail bonding company to a judge’s paralegal who assists the judge only with the judge’s civil docket cause disqualification to hear any cases? Answer: Yes, the judge would be
disqualified to adjudicate any issues involving a bond issued by that company.

Maya probate judge who is not running for reelection publicly endorse a candidate for the position in an upcoming election? Answer: Yes. However, a judge should be careful that the substance of the endorsement complies with the provisions in Canons 1 and 2.

Are all the judges in a circuit disqualified to hear cases in which a party is represented by an attorney who is a referee appointed to hear child support matters when all the judges assign cases to the referee, and the assigning judge must approve orders by the referee? Answer: Yes.

I. May a judge write a letter endorsing a particular charitable organization that the organization will use to support grant applications, major gift proposals, and other funding documents?
II. May a judge otherwise solicit financial support for the organization? Answer: Under the Canons of Judicial Ethics, a judge is discouraged but not absolutely prohibited from participating in fund raising for charitable organizations. However, a judge must limit such participation so that he does not lend the prestige of his judicial office to fund solicitation or otherwise violate Canon 1 or Canon 2. A judge may not use his judicial title or official letterhead stationery for the purpose of fund raising for a civic or charitable organization.

Is a judge who is the president of a local high school athletic club disqualified to hear an adoption proceeding brought by the high school’s athletic director/head football coach? Answer: Yes, the judge’s impartiality might reasonably be questioned in this case.

Is a judge disqualified to hear a case when a party has appeared on a television news program making allegations against the judge? Answer: Since the judge has no actual, personal bias resulting from the party’s conduct, he is not disqualified.