Could an Illinois judge who heard alcohol-related cases serve on a Victim Impact Panel board?
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This page answers the general question as of 1994. Ask about yours and see what the current rules of professional conduct in your state say for your facts, with citations.
Plain-English summary
A judge who regularly heard alcohol-related cases helped establish a Victim Impact Panel that offenders might be ordered to attend as part of sentencing. The inquiry asked whether the judge could serve as a board director.
The Committee found the panel devoted to improving the law, legal system, and administration of justice. Former Rule 64C permitted judicial service as a director of such an organization.
The Committee also considered former Rule 65B’s limits on civic and charitable board service. It thought ordinary panel board members were unlikely to testify or become involved in adversary proceedings, even though a panel coordinator might testify about an offender’s failure to attend. It concluded that service was permissible even if that limitation applied.
Currency note
This opinion was issued in 1994 under the 1993 Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct. The Committee’s archive says that Code was superseded on January 1, 2023, and does not assess the effect of the 2023 Code. Treat this page as historical context and verify the current Code before relying on its analysis.
Common questions
Q: Could the judge serve as a panel board director?
A: Yes. The Committee permitted the role under former Rule 64C.
Q: Did the judge’s alcohol-case assignment bar board service?
A: No. On the stated facts, the Committee did not treat that assignment as a bar.
Q: Did Rule 65B change the result?
A: No. The Committee concluded that board members were unlikely to be regular witnesses or participants in adversary proceedings.
Background and rules framework
Former Illinois Supreme Court Rule 64C addressed service with organizations devoted to the law and administration of justice. The Committee also considered former Rule 65B(1)’s limits on service with civic or charitable organizations likely to appear in court.
Citations and references
- Illinois Supreme Court Rules 64C and 65B(1).
See also
Source
- Landing page: Illinois Judicial Ethics Committee Opinion 1994-20
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