The Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics responds to written inquiries from New York state's approximately 3,600 judges and justices, as well as hundreds of judicial hearing officers, support magistrates, court attorney-referees, and judicial candidates (both judges and non-judges seeking election to judicial office). The committee interprets the Rules Governing Judicial Conduct (22 NYCRR Part 100) and, to the extent applicable, the Code of Judicial Conduct. The committee consists of 28 current and retired judges, and is co-chaired by the Honorable Debra L. Givens, an acting justice of the supreme court in Erie County, and the Honorable Lillian Wan, an associate justice of the appellate division, second department.

Facts/Issue: A part-time judge who is a military veteran asks if it is permissible to volunteer with various charitable veterans’ organizations. The judge’s concern is that these entities engage in extensive fund-raising. The judge would not personally solicit funds, but would participate in community parades, military celebrations, and holidays; seek out veterans for the charities to assist; play Taps at veterans’ funerals; make donations and attend fund-raising dinners; and assist the charities in setting up before and cleaning after such dinners.