By Adrienne Meiring, Counsel, Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications Judges and judicial candidates necessarily must forge professional and social relationships with attorneys, business leaders, and public officials to become judges and to effectively improve the legal system. Questions sometimes emerge whether these contacts create an appearance of partiality when an attorney or party who supported a judge … [Read more...] about Judicial Selection & Disqualification
Ethics
#CanITweet? Guidance to courts on the limits of Broadcast Ban
Described by some as “Haiku journalism,” the 140-character limit of Twitter messages such as the fictional examples below, may seem to provide only short-script descriptions of legal events, but these abbreviated statements are beginning to impact court systems. As reporters and onlookers can give play-by-play-accounts of what is occurring in the courtroom and even include photos or videos on Twitter, courts are wre … [Read more...] about #CanITweet? Guidance to courts on the limits of Broadcast Ban
Yes Virginia, Judges can be Santa Claus
Dear Ms. Meiring, With the holiday season approaching, Charity Y would like to know whether it is ethically permissible for our local judge to dress up like Santa Claus and pass out donated presents to the less fortunate kids in the community at our annual holiday party. Sincerely, Virginia, Director of Charity Y Ah, the holidays - ‘tis the season for charitable giving and activities. As prominent members of the l … [Read more...] about Yes Virginia, Judges can be Santa Claus
Time to Ask for Help
When a tea kettle whistles from mounting pressure, we all know to take the kettle off the burner or to turn down the heat. Yet, when a legal colleague shows obvious wear from stress and has difficulty performing job duties or repeatedly lashes out, we often pretend not to notice the “whistle of the tea kettle” or hope it will go away on its own. The ostrich approach, however, rarely works and can lead to significant e … [Read more...] about Time to Ask for Help
Speak when you are angry & you will make the best speech you'll ever regret
The Ethics of Judicial Campaigns: Part 2 (see Part 1) One of the hottest topics these days in judicial elections is campaign speech. As judicial elections become more heated, so too does the campaign rhetoric. It is important to remember, however, that judicial elections are different than other elections. Judicial candidates certainly maintain a first amendment right to express ideas during their campaigns. … [Read more...] about Speak when you are angry & you will make the best speech you'll ever regret