Ezel / Ethics Opinions / JUDICIAL-IL

Could an Illinois judge be paid to help write a television screenplay and appear in its credits by name and title?

Short answer Yes, on the stated facts. The Committee allowed compensation and use of the judge’s name and title, subject to the former Code’s limits on duties, impartiality, exploitation, and dealings.
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JUDICIAL-IL
Issued
September 9, 1998

Apply this to your situation

This page answers the general question as of 1998. 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 Not binding precedent.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) is the authoritative source for any reliance.

Plain-English summary

A judge proposed helping write a television pilot about the criminal justice system outside court hours and without government resources. The judge asked about payment and use of the judicial title in credits.

The Committee found compensation permissible under former Rules 65A, 65C, and 66 because nothing presented indicated interference with duties, impaired impartiality, exploitation of office, or frequent dealings with likely court participants.

It also permitted the judge’s name and title on the screenplay and screen credits, following its earlier opinion on a judge’s authorship of a novel.

Currency note

This opinion was issued in 1998 under the 1993 Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct. The Committee’s page says that Code was superseded on January 1, 2023, and does not assess the effect of the 2023 Code.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 receive compensation?

A: Yes, on the stated facts and subject to the former Code limits.

Q: Could the credits use the judicial title?

A: Yes. The Committee expressly permitted name and title on the screenplay and in screen credits.

Background and rules framework

The Committee applied former Illinois Supreme Court Rules 62B, 65A, 65C, and 66 and cited IJEC Opinions 94-15, 96-8, and 97-11 on judicial writing.

Citations and references

  • Illinois Supreme Court Rules 62B, 65A, 65C, and 66.
  • IJEC Opinions 94-15, 96-8, and 97-11.

See also

Source

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