Cobb County Police Chief Michael Register (from left), Atlanta attorney Jamala S. McFadden, and Fulton Superior Court Chief Judge Robert C. I. McBurney Georgia's judicial ethics watchdog agency has issued a formal advisory opinion warning judges and judicial candidates they face ethical peril if a spouse hosts a political fundraiser. The Judicial Qualifications Commission issued the advisory opinion based on what it described as “a recurring concern” about whether a judge's spouse or partner may use the couple's shared residence for political events or fundraisers.
  • The judge should not be identified in invitations, publicity or social media associated with the event;
  • The judge's position should not be associated with the event;
  • The judge may not invite anyone or encourage anyone to attend or support the candidate or cause touted by the judge's spouse;
  • The judge may not assist in any preparations for the event; and
  • The judge also must not attend the event.