Ezel / Ethics Opinions / JUDICIAL-AL

Did the Canons bar a judicial candidate from accepting a contribution from a bonding company doing business in the courts?

Short answer The Commission said the Canons did not prohibit contributions from the company or a major stockholder, while directing the candidate’s attention to Canons 7B(l)(c), 1, 2A, and 2C.
Bar
JUDICIAL-AL
Issued
August 2, 1982
Source
View Original PDF

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.

Disclaimer: Advisory only. Not binding precedent.
About this page: The plain-English summary, reader guidance, and Q&A below were written by Ezel based on the official ethics opinion. The original opinion (linked on this page as a PDF) is the authoritative source for any reliance.
View original ethics opinion (PDF)

Plain-English summary

A district judge running for circuit judge asked about contributions from a bonding company or its major stockholder. The company did business in the district and circuit courts.

The Commission concluded that the Alabama Canons of Judicial Ethics did not prohibit those contributions. It added a caution to keep Canons 7B(l)(c), 1, 2A, and 2C in mind.

Currency note

This opinion was issued in 1982, 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: Did the Commission categorically bar those contributions?

A: No. It said the Canons did not prohibit contributions from the company or major stockholder.

Q: Which Canons did it identify for the candidate?

A: Canons 7B(l)(c), 1, 2A, and 2C.

Background and rules framework

The opinion gives a brief answer and cites Canons 7B(l)(c), 1, 2A, and 2C without elaborating their application.

Citations and references

Alabama Canons of Judicial Ethics:

  • Canon 7B(l)(c)
  • Canon 1
  • Canon 2A
  • Canon 2C

See also

Source

Original opinion text

Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.

82-159
Judicial Inquiry Commission
800 SOUTH MCDONOUGH STREET
SUITE 201
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36104
August 2, 1982
The Judicial Inquiry Commission has considered your request for an opinion concerning whether under the Alabama Canons of Judicial Ethics a district court judge, who is a candidate for circuit court judge, may accept campaign contributions from a bonding company or a major stockholder in a bonding company which does business in the circuit and district courts. It is the opinion of the Commission that the Alabama Canons of Judicial Ethics do not prohibit such campaign contributions; however, a candidate for judicial office should be ever mindful of Canons 7B(l)(c), 1, 2A and 2C. Very truly yours,

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