Rule 21-103 Avoiding abuse of the prestige of judicial office.

Committee commentary. —

[1] It is improper for a judge to use or attempt to use his or her position to gain personal advantage or deferential treatment of any kind. For example, it would be improper for a judge to allude to his or her judicial status to gain favorable treatment in encounters with traffic officials. A judge must not use judicial letterhead in conducting his or her personal business.

[2] A judge may provide a reference or recommendation for an individual based on the judge’s personal knowledge. The judge may use official letterhead if the judge indicates that the reference is personal and if there is no likelihood that the use of the letterhead would reasonably be perceived as an attempt to exert pressure by reason of the judicial office.

[3] Judges may participate in the process of judicial selection by cooperating with appointing authorities and screening committees and by responding to inquiries from such entities concerning the professional qualifications of a person being considered for judicial office. A judge may write letters of recommendation for any candidate for judicial appointment.

[4] Special considerations arise when judges write or contribute to publications of for-profit entities, whether related or unrelated to the law. A judge should not permit anyone associated with the publication of such materials to exploit the judge’s office in a manner that violates this rule or other applicable law. In contracts for the publication of a judge’s writing, the judge should retain sufficient control over the advertising to avoid such exploitation. A judge who publishes may include the judge’s title and include a biographical statement in the publication.