Panel: Judges can’t display yard signs for candidates

By Cy Ryan

Friday, Aug. 13, 2010 | 1:50 a.m.

CARSON CITY – A judge can't put a campaign sign on his property backing a political candidate, a judicial ethics panel says.

The Standing Committee on Judicial Ethics and Election Practices also says in another advisory opinion that a judge can't help a city draft a ballot advisory question on a tax increase.

A justice of the peace asked the committee whether he could display a sign supporting another candidate for public office on his property.

The committee, in an opinion signed by Vice Chairman Michael Pagni, said displaying a candidate's sign at the judge’s home or on property readily identified as being owned by the judge would "constitute an impermissible endorsement of candidates for public office," and is prohibited by the Code of Judicial Conduct.

In the second opinion, a justice of the peace asked whether it is permissible to help a committee draft an advisory city ballot question on a tax increase. The judge said the committee was taking no position on the issue.

Pagni wrote in the second opinion the judge can't take part in drafting the question if the tax increase is not for the judicial system. The committee also noted that a judge involved in helping to draft the language could be asked to make a legal ruling on the appropriateness of the language.

The committee also issued a third advisory opinion that a judge may conduct a settlement conference or mediation if asked by another judge, but is prohibited from taking cases from independent private mediation services.

The names of the judges involved weren't released.