In re Code of Judicial Conduct

675 So. 2d 111, 21 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 241, 1996 Fla. LEXIS 896, 1996 WL 290593

• Court: Supreme Court of Florida
• Decided: May 30, 1996
• Docket: No. 88148
• Status: Published

Opinion

PER CURIAM.

Upon our own motion, the Court hereby amends Canon 7A.(1) and Canon 7C.(3) of the Code of Judicial Conduct as follows:

A. All judges and Candidates.

(1) Except as authorized in Sections 7B(2), 7C(2) and 7C(3), a judge or a candidate for election or appointment to judicial office shall not:

(a) act as a leader or hold an office in a political organization;

(b) publicly endorse or publicly oppose another candidate for public office;

(c) make speeches on behalf of a political organization;

(d) attend political gatherings party functions; or

(e) solicit funds for, pay an assessment to or make a contribution to a political organization or candidate, or purchase tickets for political party dinners or other functions.

C. Judges and Candidates Subject to Public Election.

(3) After qualifying for judicial office with4he appropriate-quallfying-officery-a A judicial candidate involved in an election or re-election, or a merit retention candidate who has certified that he or she has active opposition, may attend a political party function to speak in behalf of his or her candidacy or on a matter that relates to the law, the improvement of the legal system, or the administration of justice. The function must not be a fund raiser, and the invitation to speak must also include the other candidates, if any, for that office. The candidate should refrain from commenting on the candidate’s affiliation with any political party or other candidate, and should avoid expressing a position on any political issue. A judicial candidate attending a political party function must avoid conduct that suggests or appears to suggest support of or opposition to a political party, a political issue, or another candidate. Conduct limited to that described above does not constitute participation in a partisan political party activity.

These amendments shall become effective immediately. However, within thirty days hereof any person may file with this Court comments directed toward the propriety or wisdom of these amendments for further consideration by the Court.

It is so ordered.

GRIMES, C.J., and OVERTON, SHAW, KOGAN, HARDING, WELLS and ANSTEAD, JJ., concur.

NO MOTION FOR REHEARING WILL BE ALLOWED.