Monika Kozak

May 20, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A village justice who formerly served as a special prosecutor for Vehicle and Traffic Law matters: (1) May preside in matters where the village justice was not involved in any manner during his/her prior employment as special prosecutor.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

9 minute read

May 19, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A judge may attend generic cultural/holiday celebrations hosted by elected public officials, where such events are free and open to the public and are paid for by state/government funds rather than campaign funds.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

5 minute read

May 16, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A judge may not permit a fraternal organization to use the judge's likeness, image or affiliation for any fund-raising purposes, and therefore the judge should instruct the organization not to use the judge's video interview at an event where one purpose of the event is for fund-raising.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

5 minute read

May 15, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A town justice is not required to report a violation of a town ordinance that came to the judge's attention during a small claims proceeding, but may do so in his/her sole discretion. If the judge chooses to report the violation, he/she may not preside over any resulting proceedings.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

3 minute read

May 14, 2024 | New York Law Journal

On these facts, a judge may not facilitate the District Attorney's driver diversion program by providing the DA's office with copies of defendants' accusatory instruments in Vehicle and Traffic Law matters.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

4 minute read

May 13, 2024 | New York Law Journal

(1) A full-time judge may serve as the administrator of a not-for-profit religious organization's food pantry, and may prepare the pantry's funding applications, but may not personally sign them. The judge must instead designate someone else from within the organization to sign the applications.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

6 minute read

May 12, 2024 | New York Law Journal

(1) Once a judge's law clerk's spouse becomes the Public Defender, the judge (a) must completely insulate the law clerk from all cases involving the PD's office, (b) must disclose both the relationship and the insulation, and (c) may thereafter preside in the matter, provided the judge can be fair and impartial, even if a party objects.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

4 minute read

May 09, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A judicial association may enter into a licensing agreement with a vendor to create and sell themed products to association members, provided such agreement is non-transferable, and the association prohibits the vendor from using the association's name in any advertising or listing the association as a customer/client.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

4 minute read

May 08, 2024 | New York Law Journal

A part-time town justice may not remain "of counsel" to the law firm that represents the town planning board.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

3 minute read

May 07, 2024 | New York Law Journal

(1) A full-time judge may not serve as an officer or director of a not-for-profit community group organized to oppose a municipality's proposed changes to a public park by litigation and other means, and may not engage in community outreach or fund-raising on behalf of the group. However, the judge may make charitable donations to the group and may engage in certain public advocacy activities on the judge's own behalf where the judge has a clear and direct personal interest at stake.

By Committee on Judicial Ethics

10 minute read