sunEthics

Judicial candidate may speak at "Tea Party" and "Patriot" gatherings, but only under limited conditions.  [Added 7/12/10]

The Florida Supreme Court's Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee was asked by a judicial candidate whether it would be ethically permissible to speak at gatherings of local "Patriot" and "Tea Party" groups.  The candidate stated that each group advocates constitutional education, but the Committee concluded that the candidate should treat the gatherings of both of the groups as political party functions.  "Accordingly, the Committee believes that the candidate may speak at one of these functions only under the conditions described in Canon 7(3)(C), that is, the event is not a fundraiser, the other candidates for the position have been invited, and the candidate limits the presentation to the topics permitted by Fla. Code Jud. Conduct, Canon 7(3)(C)."  Judicial Ethics Advisory Opinion 2010-19 (Election).

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