Ezel / Ethics Opinions / JUDICIAL-WV

Could a family law master judge the Miss West Virginia Scholarship Pageant?

Short answer West Virginia JIC Opinion 2000-15 found no canon prohibiting the family law master from serving as a judge for the Miss West Virginia Scholarship Pageant.
Bar
JUDICIAL-WV
Issued
March 10, 2000
Source
View Original PDF

Apply this to your situation

This page answers the general question as of 2000. 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 Not binding precedent.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 family law master asked whether the master could serve as a judge for the Miss West Virginia Scholarship Pageant scheduled in the master’s area in June 2000. After reviewing the Code of Judicial Conduct, the Commission found no canon prohibiting that service. The letter cited no numbered canon.

Currency note

This opinion was issued in 2000, before West Virginia adopted its 2015 Code of Judicial Conduct, effective December 1, 2015. Subsequent rule changes or later opinions may have changed the analysis. Treat this page as historical context and verify the current Code before relying on the letter's conclusion.

Common questions

Q: Did the Commission allow the pageant judging role?

A: Yes. It found no canon prohibiting the family law master from serving in that capacity.

Q: Did the letter set out conditions for that service?

A: No. The published letter gave only the Commission's conclusion and did not specify conditions.

Background and rules framework

The Commission said it had reviewed the Code of Judicial Conduct but identified no particular canon that would bar the proposed pageant role.

See also

Source

Original opinion text

Best-effort transcription from a scanned PDF. Minor errors may remain; the linked PDF is authoritative.

JUDICIAL INVESTIGATION COMMISSION
Post Office Box 1629
Charleston, West Virginia 25326-1629
(304) 558-0169 • FAX (304) 558-0831

March 10, 2000
JIC Advisory Opinion 2000-15

Dear Family Law Master

You have asked the Judicial Investigation Commission for an advisory opinion regarding whether you can serve as a judge for the Miss West Virginia Scholarship Pageant to be held in your area in June 2000.

In reviewing the Code of Judicial Conduct the Commission could find no Canon which would prohibit you from serving in that capacity. If you have any further question regarding this matter do not hesitate to contact the Commission.

Very truly yours,

John W. Bennett, Chairman

JWB:nb

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