What did Opinion 82-126 originally say about using court resources for juror commendation letters?
Apply this to your situation
This page answers the general question as of 1982. Ask about yours and see what the current rules of professional conduct in your state say for your facts, with citations.
Plain-English summary
The request concerned a district court judge sending commendatory letters to jurors using court stationery, stamps, and personnel.
Citing Code of Alabama 1975 §36-12-61 and Canons 2 and 7A(l), the Commission originally said a judge should not use those court resources for the letters unless a court rule authorized them or the presiding circuit judge expressly permitted them. The official PDF now labels this opinion clarified by 82-160, overruled in part by 93-482, and overruled by 08-894.
Currency note
The official PDF marks this 1982 opinion “[Clarified by 82-160],” “[Overruled in part by 93-482],” and “[Overruled by 08-894].” Opinion 08-894 later permitted routine juror-appreciation letters using court resources within its stated limits. Treat this original restriction as historical context and verify the later opinions and current Canons.
Common questions
Q: What exception appeared in the original answer?
A: A court rule authorizing the letters or express permission from the presiding circuit judge.
Q: Does the official PDF present this as current?
A: No. Its header marks the opinion overruled by 08-894.
Background and rules framework
The original answer invokes Code of Alabama 1975 §36-12-61 and Canons 2 and 7A(l). Its official header records later treatment by Opinions 82-160, 93-482, and 08-894.
Citations and references
Alabama Canons of Judicial Ethics:
- Canon 2
- Canon 7A(l)
Constitutional or statutory provisions:
- Code of Alabama 1975, §36-12-61
See also
Source
- Landing page: Alabama JIC advisory opinions
- Original PDF: Advisory Opinion 82-126
- Later opinion 82-160: https://jic.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AO82-160.pdf
- Later opinion 93-482: https://jic.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AO93-482.pdf
- Later opinion 08-894: https://jic.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AO08-894.pdf
- Canon history: Alabama JIC, Canons of Judicial Ethics
Original opinion text
Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.
82-126
[Clarified by 82-160]
[Overruled in part by 93-482]
[Overruled by 08-894]
Judicial Inquiry Commission
800 SOUTH MCDONOUGH STREET
SUITE 201
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104
January 29, 1982
The Commission has considered your request for advice on the propriety of a district court judge sending commendatory letters to jurors using court stationery, stamps, and personnel. In view of Code of Alabama 1975, §36-12-61, and Canons 2 and 7A(l), it is the opinion of the Commission that no judge should send commendatory letters to jurors using court stationery, stamps, or personnel except where such letters are either authorized by court rule or expressly permitted by the presiding circuit judge. Very truly yours, JUDICIAL INQUIRY COMMISSION
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