Rule 4.4 Affiliation with Discriminatory Organizations

Judges in Oregon cannot belong to groups that discriminate against people based on things like race, gender, or religion. If a judge knows a group discriminates, or should reasonably know it does, the judge is not allowed to be a member.

Judges also cannot use the benefits or facilities of a discriminatory group, like a private club's golf course or meeting rooms, if they know or should know the group discriminates. There is one exception to this. A judge can attend a single event held by a group that would not even let the judge join, as long as that one visit would not look like the judge is supporting the group's discriminatory practices.

This rule exists to keep judges from being connected to organizations that treat people unfairly. The goal is to make sure judges appear fair and unbiased to everyone who comes into their courtroom, no matter their background.