The Judicial Ethics Committee has issued two opinions which have been posted to the Judicial Branch Website. 

The questions presented in each are:

24-1:  

     Can a judge preside over criminal cases when the judge’s spouse is a supervisor in the largest law enforcement agency in the county?

24-2:

1. Can a Judge speak at an event for Domestic Violence Awareness Month put on by the Bridge which is a nonprofit domestic violence program?  The event is not a fundraiser.  Below is a brief description of the event. 
   1. The Bridge is planning their Annual Night of Hope Vigil which will happen in October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  We are excited to invite you to speak as our Community Leader.  Crossing our fingers it will work for you this year.  The Night of Hope will be held on Thursday, October 24th from 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm.  It will be inside at the Midland University’s Olson Student Center.  We usually have around 100 in attendance. It is a very special night for survivors, family, friends and our community.
   2. It is a short, but powerful program.  We start with a Welcome from one of our Board Members and then the Community Leader speaks, laying the foundation of the horrific impact domestic violence can have on the victim, children and on our community and the importance of our work to end it.  The Community Leader speaks for 3-5 minutes.  You would be followed by the Survivor Speaker who will share her story of experiencing domestic violence at the hands of her husband and children’s father.  We may be dedicating a Silent Witness for someone who lost their life due to domestic violence in our service area, but that isn’t confirmed yet.  The Fremont Middle School Show Choir will be there and will sing a couple songs during the program as well.
2. Can the Bridge which is a nonprofit domestic violence program put a picture of the judges and their staff on their Facebook page from when the Judges visited their building?  The Facebook page is not used for any fundraising.