Judges In Street Clothes

To maintain public confidence in the judiciary, judges are governed by the strictest of ethical codes. Codes of conduct not only circumscribe a judge’s official conduct but also restrict every aspect of a judge’s off-bench life. Judges in Street Clothes: Acting Ethically Off-the-Bench provides an in-depth analysis of the rules limiting the charitable, educational, religious, fraternal, civic, and law-related extrajudicial activities of state and federal judges. This comprehensive, heavily footnoted resource examines: (1) the historical development of the American Bar Association’s four model judicial codes with an emphasis on the rules regulating the charitable, educational, religious, fraternal, civic, and law-related activities of judges; (2) the State’s interests in restricting the extrajudicial activities of judges; (3) the strengths and weaknesses of rules governing a judge’s off-bench activities; (4) how state and federal courts, judicial disciplinary commissions, and judicial ethics advisory committees have interpreted judicial conduct rules; (5) best practices for judges; and (6) the constitutionality of the restrictions on a judge’s charitable, educational, religious, fraternal, civic, and law-related undertakings. From both a theoretical and practical standpoint, this book addresses the ethical implications of the everyday activities of judges. How far may a judge go in expressing personal opinions about social and legal issues? What are the limits on a judge’s use of social media? Is it permissible for a judge to receive an award from a victim advocacy group? Do the rules permit a judge to speak at a church or bar association’s fund-raising dinner? May judges teach prosecutors and law enforcement officials how to improve their job performance? May a judge appear in an informational video for the judge’s alma mater? Former judge Raymond J. McKoski discusses these and a host of other everyday situations judges face in their attempts to remain involved community members while promoting public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary.

The Model Rules of Professional Conduct provides an up-to-date resource for information on legal ethics. Federal, state and local courts in all jurisdictions look to the Rules for guidance in solving lawyer malpractice cases, disciplinary actions, disqualification issues, sanctions questions and much more. In this volume, black-letter Rules of Professional Conduct are followed by numbered Comments that explain each Rule's purpose and provide suggestions for its practical application. The Rules will help you identify proper conduct in a variety of given situations, review those instances where discretionary action is possible, and define the nature of the relationship between you and your clients, colleagues and the courts.

In their professional lives, courtroom lawyers must do these two things well: speak persuasively and write persuasively. In this noteworthy book, two noted legal writers systematically present every important idea about judicial persuasion in a fresh, entertaining way. The book covers the essentials of sound legal reasoning, including how to develop the syllogism that underlies any argument. From there the authors explain the art of brief writing, especially what to include and what to omit, so that you can induce the judge to focus closely on your arguments. Finally, they show what it takes to succeed in oral argument.

"In Electing Judges, James L. Gibson responds to the growing chorus of critics who fear that the politics of running for office undermine judicial independence. While many people have opinions on the topic, few have supported them with empirical evidence. Gibson rectifies this situation, offering the most systematic study to date of the impact of campaigns on public perceptions of fairness, impartiality, and the legitimacy of elected state courts-and his findings are both counterintuitive and controversial"--Page [four] of cover.