Did Canon 7 prevent an inactive retired judge from serving as master of ceremonies at a political rally?
Apply this to your situation
This page answers the general question as of 1978. Ask about yours and see what the current rules of professional conduct in your state say for your facts, with citations.
Plain-English summary
An inactive retired judge asked whether Canon 7 applied and whether the judge could serve as master of ceremonies at a political rally before a party primary without favoring any candidate.
The Commission answered that Canon 7 was inapplicable to retired judges serving on inactive status. On that basis, it said the described participation did not violate Canon 7.
Currency note
This opinion was issued in 1978, after the Alabama Supreme Court’s 1975 adoption of the Alabama Canons of Judicial Ethics. Subsequent amendments or later opinions may have changed the analysis. Treat this page as historical context and verify the current Canons and linked opinion before relying on its conclusions.
Common questions
Q: What status controlled the answer?
A: The judge was retired and serving on inactive status.
Q: Did Canon 7 apply to that status under the opinion?
A: No. The Commission said Canon 7 was inapplicable to inactive retired judges.
Q: What political role was proposed?
A: Serving as master of ceremonies at a pre-primary political rally without favoring a candidate.
Background and rules framework
The letter addresses the reach of Canon 7 to a retired judge on inactive status and bases its answer on that status.
Citations and references
Alabama Canons of Judicial Ethics:
- Canon 7
See also
- AL Judicial Ethics Op. 78-46: Judge as Political Convention Delegate
- AL Judicial Ethics Op. 79-56: Inactive Retired Judge’s Law Practice
Source
- Landing page: Alabama JIC advisory opinions
- Original PDF: Advisory Opinion 78-42
- Canon history: Alabama JIC, Canons of Judicial Ethics
Original opinion text
Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.
78-42
Judicial Inquiry Commission
800 SOUTH MCDONOUGH STREET
SUITE 201
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104
August 16, 1978
The Judicial Inquiry Commission has reviewed your request for an opinion. You ask us to consider two questions: first, whether the mandates of Canon 7 apply to retired judges; and, second, if that Canon does apply to retired judges, whether a retired judge may serve as a master of ceremonies at a political rally prior to the party primary election at which no favoritism is shown toward any of the candidates. It is the opinion of this Commission that Canon 7 is inapplicable to retired judges serving on inactive status. Thus, as an inactive retired judge you would not violate Canon 7 by serving as a master of ceremonies at the event you describe.
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