What did the Commission direct a judge to do with anonymous cash and a note received at the courthouse?
Apply this to your situation
This page answers the general question as of 2012. 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 received an unsigned note and a $20 bill at the courthouse. Another judge in the same circuit received a similar mailing, and the requester viewed the matter as a possible threat. The judge asked what to do with the cash.
The Commission said to follow through with notifying Court Security, inform the county sheriff, and turn over the note and bill as potential evidence.
In practice
The opinion addresses the particular anonymous mailing and directs notification of Court Security and the sheriff, with the note and bill transferred as potential evidence.
Common questions
Q: What should the judge do with the $20 bill and note?
A: The Commission directs the judge to give both to the county sheriff as potential evidence.
Q: Who should be notified?
A: The opinion calls for notice to Court Security and the county sheriff.
Background and rules framework
The Commission did not cite a numbered Code provision. It answered the judge’s question about the anonymous cash and note as a potential court-security matter.
Citations and references
The opinion cites no numbered rule, statute, case, or other opinion.
See also
Source
- Landing page: West Virginia Judicial Investigation Commission advisory opinions
- Original PDF: JIC Advisory Opinion 2012-23, redacted
Original opinion text
Best-effort transcription from a scanned PDF. Minor errors may remain; the linked PDF is authoritative.
JUDICIAL INVESTIGATION COMMISSION
City Center East - Suite 1200 A
4700 MacCorkle Ave., SE
Charleston, West Virginia 25304
(304) 558-0169 @ FAX (304) 558-0831
December 5, 2012
Re: JIC Advisory Opinion 2012-23.
Dear Judge
Your request for an advisory opinion to Counsel was recently reviewed by the Judicial Investigation Commission. The factual scenario giving rise to your request is as follows: You recently received a note in the mail which contained a $20.00 bill. The hand-printed note on lined notebook paper provided:
| got a check 4 5150
U came 2 mind
Ill never B
The note was unsigned and came in a pre-postage incorporated envelope that is sold by the United States Post Office. The envelope was specifically addressed to you at the County Courthouse, , WV . There was no return address on either the note or the envelope. Consequently, you do not know who sent you the note and $20.00 bill. You also indicated that another Judge in your Judicial Circuit received a similar envelope, a note with a different message and a $20.00 bill at approximately the same time. You indicated that you view the matter as a potential threat and that Court Security will be made aware of the situation. You want to know what you should do with the $20.00 in cash that you received from an anonymous person.
JIC Advisory Opinion 2012-23
December 5, 2012
Page 2
The Commission is of the opinion that you should promptly follow through with your plan to notify Court Security. You should also inform the County Sheriff of the situation and turn the document and the $20.00 bill over to him/her as potential evidence.
It ls hoped that this opinion fully addresses the issues which you have raised. If there is any further question regarding this matter do not hesitate to contact the Commission.
Sincerely,
Ronald E, Wilson, Chairperson
Judicial investigation Commission
REW/tat
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