Judicial Conduct Test

Question 1: Which of the following is a permissible extrajudicial activity for a judge?

Question 2: Under the Model Code of Judicial Conduct, when must a judge disqualify themselves from a proceeding?

Question 3: Can a judge endorse a candidate for public office?

Question 4: What must a judge do if they receive information indicating a substantial likelihood that another judge has committed a violation of the judicial conduct rules?

Question 5: Is a judge allowed to attend a family member's private fundraiser?

Question 6: May a judge comment publicly on a pending case?

Question 7: Under which circumstance is a judge permitted to hold a leadership position in a religious organization?

Question 8: What should a judge do if they have a personal bias concerning a party involved in a case?

Question 9: Can a judge participate in activities to improve the law, the legal system, and the administration of justice?

Question 10: Is it acceptable for a judge to accept a gift or favor from a party that has appeared in their court?

Question 11: What is the main purpose of the Model Code of Judicial Conduct?

Question 12: Is it appropriate for a judge to conduct an independent investigation into the facts of a case?

Question 13: What action should a judge take if they receive an ex parte communication about a pending case?

Question 14: Can a judge hold membership in an organization that practices discrimination?

Question 15: Under what circumstance can a judge publicly comment on their own case pending in another court?

Question 16: Can a judge run for a non-judicial public office while still serving as a judge?

Question 17: Is it permissible for a judge to accept an honorarium for speaking at a legal education event?

Question 18: What duty does a judge have if they know that another judge has engaged in misbehavior?

Question 19: Can a judge's family member's financial interest in a case necessitate the judge's disqualification?

Question 20: Is it appropriate for a judge to provide character references for individuals?

Question 21: When is it acceptable for a judge to communicate with one party about a case without the other party being present?

Question 22: Can a judge use their judicial title to advance personal interests?

Question 23: What should a judge do if they accidentally become privy to privileged communication between a lawyer and their client?

Question 24: Is it appropriate for a judge to be involved in organizing a fundraising event for a non-profit organization?

Question 25: Can a judge allow their name to be used in a list of supporters for a charitable organization?

Question 26: In which scenario must a judge report another judge's misconduct?

Question 27: What is the proper course of action for a judge who has a close familial relation to one of the attorneys in a case?

Question 28: May a judge comment on a pending or impending proceeding in any court?

Question 29: Can a judge receive compensation for performing a wedding ceremony?

Question 30: Is a judge allowed to make financial investments?

Question 31: Can a judge serve as the executor of an estate?

Question 32: What should a judge do if they discover that a lawyer in a case has committed a serious ethical violation?

Question 33: May a judge teach a law class at a university?

Question 34: Is it permissible for a judge to make a public statement endorsing a legislative change?

Question 35: Can a judge write a letter of recommendation using official letterhead?

Question 36: Is it appropriate for a judge to accept free tickets to a sports event from a lawyer?

Question 37: Can a judge participate in a social media platform where they discuss pending cases?

Question 38: What should a judge do if they have a serious health condition impacting their ability to perform judicial duties?

Question 39: Is a judge allowed to own and operate a private business?

Question 40: Can a judge act as an arbitrator or mediator in a private capacity?

Question 41: Can a judge accept an invitation to speak at a political party meeting?

Question 42: Is it appropriate for a judge to participate in a television interview about a case currently in their courtroom?

Question 43: Can a judge be disciplined for privately criticizing another judge?

Question 44: What is the proper response if a judge accidentally receives confidential documents from one of the parties?

Question 45: Can a judge contribute to a political candidate's campaign?

Question 46: Under what conditions can a judge mentor a young lawyer?

Question 47: Can a judge serve as a judge in a mock trial for a law school event?

Question 48: Is it appropriate for a judge to attend a social event hosted by a lawyer who frequently appears before their court?

Question 49: What must a judge do if they realize they are connected on social media with an attorney involved in a current case?

Question 50: Can a judge attend a protest or public demonstration?

Question 51: May a judge accept awards or honors from community organizations?

Question 52: Is it permissible for a judge to make recommendations based on personal knowledge, for example, for law school admissions?

Question 53: How should a judge handle a potential conflict of interest involving a former client?

Question 54: When can a judge engage in public commentary on a pending legal issue?

Question 55: Can a judge assist a nonprofit organization in planning their litigation strategy?

Question 56: Is it acceptable for a judge to attend a law firm's annual holiday party?

Question 57: Under what circumstances can a judge campaign for re-election?

Question 58: What actions should a judge take regarding investments that may create a conflict of interest?

Question 59: Can a judge join a social club that has membership policies perceived as discriminatory?

Question 60: Can a judge advise their own family member on a legal matter?

Question 61: Is it appropriate for a judge to publicly endorse a commercial product?

Question 62: Can a judge attend a political fundraising event as a guest?

Question 63: What should a judge do if they are required to decide on a case where one of the attorneys is a close personal friend?

Question 64: Can a judge serve on the board of directors of a non-profit organization?

Question 65: Is it permissible for a judge to write a book about their judicial experiences and receive royalties?

Question 66: Can a judge act as a character witness for a friend in a court proceeding?

Question 67: What should a judge do if they know a colleague has a substance abuse problem affecting their judicial duties?

Question 68: Is a judge allowed to make financial contributions to a legal aid organization?

Question 69: Can a judge participate in a reality TV show?

Question 70: Can a judge serve as a mediator for disputes involving family members?

Question 71: Is a judge allowed to make public statements regarding their personal political beliefs?

Question 72: What should a judge do if they inadvertently receive an ex parte communication about a case?

Question 73: Can a judge participate in bar association activities?

Question 74: Can a judge become a member of a national legal reform organization?

Question 75: Is it acceptable for a judge to accept gifts from former law clerks?

Question 76: What must a judge do if they have a personal financial interest in a case they are presiding over?

Question 77: Is it permissible for a judge to have an active role in their spouse's business?

Question 78: Can a judge provide investment advice to family members?

Question 79: May a judge serve as an officer in a political party?

Question 80: Is it appropriate for a judge to be involved in organizing a legal conference?

Question 81: Can a judge serve as a trustee for a family trust?

Question 82: Is it appropriate for a judge to attend a conference sponsored by a law firm?

Question 83: Can a judge participate in social media discussions about pending legal issues?

Question 84: What is the appropriate action if a judge learns that a court employee is involved in illegal activities?

Question 85: Can a judge participate in an advocacy organization related to their child's school?

Question 86: Is it permissible for a judge to write an article for a legal journal?

Question 87: May a judge accept payment for teaching a continuing legal education (CLE) course?

Question 88: What should a judge do if they have a personal friendship with a party to a case?

Question 89: Is it appropriate for a judge to make public statements criticizing government policies?

Question 90: Can a judge volunteer for a campaign to promote judicial independence?

Question 91: Can a judge allow their likeness to be used in a commercial advertisement?

Question 92: What should a judge do if offered free legal services by a law firm that appears in their court?

Question 93: Is it appropriate for a judge to participate in a community parade?

Question 94: Can a judge preside over a case involving a major campaign donor to their election?

Question 95: Is a judge allowed to practice law while serving on the bench?

Question 96: What should a judge do if they are invited to speak at a partisan political event?

Question 97: Can a judge give a public lecture on recent legal developments?

Question 98: May a judge accept a gift from a former mentor who is now a practicing attorney?

Question 99: Is it appropriate for a judge to express personal views on controversial issues during a media interview?

Question 100: What action should a judge take if they have a dispute with a neighbor that could lead to litigation?

Question 101: Can a judge engage in financial dealings that involve frequent or continuing business relationships with lawyers or parties likely to come before the court?

Question 102: Is it appropriate for a judge to participate in a panel discussion organized by a political party?

Question 103: May a judge serve as a keynote speaker at a fund-raising event for a charitable organization?

Question 104: What should a judge do if they realize they have a personal bias against one of the parties in a case?

Question 105: Is it permissible for a judge to act as an arbitrator or mediator in non-judicial capacities?

Question 106: Can a judge join a book club that includes attorneys who appear before them?

Question 107: What should a judge do if a lawyer appearing before them offers to pay for their meal at a legal conference?

Question 108: May a judge mentor a judicial candidate about campaign strategies?

Question 109: Is it acceptable for a judge to be friends on social media with attorneys who may appear before them in court?

Question 110: What is the appropriate action for a judge if they are approached by a party to a case during a social event?

Question 111: May a judge contribute to a political action committee (PAC)?

Question 112: Can a judge lecture at a for-profit law seminar for compensation?

Question 113: What should a judge do if they receive a complaint alleging judicial misconduct against a colleague?

Question 114: Can a judge serve as a guest editor for a legal journal?

Question 115: Is it appropriate for a judge to participate in a protest or march?

Question 116: May a judge join a legal committee that regularly engages in lobbying efforts?

Question 117: What should a judge do if they discover an error in a decision they issued?

Question 118: Can a judge accept an honorary degree from a university?

Question 119: Is it permissible for a judge to write a regular column for a newspaper?

Question 120: Can a judge administer oaths at a public ceremony?

Question 121: Is it permissible for a judge to attend a dinner event honoring a political candidate?

Question 122: Can a judge serve as a character witness for a friend in a legal proceeding?

Question 123: What should a judge do if asked to officiate a wedding for a couple who are parties in a case before them?

Question 124: Can a judge participate in drafting legislation?

Question 125: Is it appropriate for a judge to accept complimentary tickets to a sporting event from a lawyer who practices in their court?

Question 126: What should a judge do if they learn that a case they are presiding over involves a company in which they own stock?

Question 127: Can a judge serve as a director of a non-profit organization?

Question 128: Is it permissible for a judge to discuss case details with the media?

Question 129: Can a judge accept an invitation to speak at a high school about their career?

Question 130: What should a judge do if they have a financial interest in a case involving a family business?

Question 131: Can a judge be a member of an organization that practices invidious discrimination?

Question 132: What should a judge do if they have a prior professional relationship with an attorney appearing in their court?

Question 133: Is it appropriate for a judge to hire a family member as a personal assistant in their courtroom?

Question 134: Can a judge make public comments on cases that have been concluded?

Question 135: May a judge assist in raising funds for a charitable organization?

Question 136: Is it permissible for a judge to accept a gift from a close personal friend who has no business before the judge's court?

Question 137: Can a judge be involved in the management of their spouse's business?

Question 138: What action should a judge take if they find out a juror has been influenced by outside information?

Question 139: Is it appropriate for a judge to participate in a community advisory board?

Question 140: Can a judge accept reimbursement for travel expenses to attend a law conference?

Question 141: Can a judge accept an invitation to a social event hosted by a party with a case pending before their court?

Question 142: What is the appropriate action for a judge if they accidentally see privileged information in a case they are presiding over?

Question 143: May a judge participate in a non-profit organization's fundraising activities?

Question 144: Can a judge make public comments in support of a political candidate?

Question 145: Is it appropriate for a judge to participate in drafting legal documents for a family member's business?

Question 146: What should a judge do when approached by an attorney offering a gift as a thank you?

Question 147: Can a judge serve on an advisory board for a government agency?

Question 148: Is it permissible for a judge to review a book on legal ethics?

Question 149: Can a judge mentor law students and offer career advice?

Question 150: What should a judge do if they discover a close family member is involved in a case before their court?