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Meetings & Hearings

Notice of Public Hearing


From Mark I. Harrison,

ABA Joint Commission to Evaluate the

ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct


Hearing date: February 11, 2005

The ABA Joint Commission to Evaluate the ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct will hold the eighth in a series of public hearings to obtain comments and suggestions relating to the present Code on Friday, February 11, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

This hearing will take place Friday, February 11, 2005 at the Marriott Downtown, 75 South West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101. Individuals or organizations interested in appearing at this hearing to provide the Commission with their views on the present Code and/or suggestions for its improvement are invited to contact Commission Counsel Eileen Gallagher at [email protected] or (312) 988-5105 no later than January 25, 2005. This will allow time to schedule all persons interested in appearing on February 11th.

An electronic version of your proposed comments should be submitted by February 1, 2005. Where possible, please identify the provisions of the current Judicial Code being addressed. If you intend to recommend that the provisions be changed, please provide language that you believe would accomplish your intended purpose. (Written submissions may also be submitted in lieu of oral testimony.) All information may be sent by February 1 to Ms. Gallagher, via e-mail or in hard copy to ABA Justice Center, located at 321 N. Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60610. E-mail transmissions are greatly preferred.

An attempt will be made to accommodate all appearance requests. However, preference will be given to parties for whom geographic concerns make it imperative that they appear at the Salt Lake City hearing; other individuals or entities may wish to schedule appearances at hearings that will be held elsewhere at a later date.

During this hearing in Salt Lake City, the Joint Commission will begin examining issues that have already been brought to its attention, including but not limited to the following:

  • Could the format and organization of the Code be improved?
  • What types of statements should judges be permitted to make, especially as judicial candidates, during or independent of campaigning for office?
  • What significance should attach to the statements, affiliations or interests of members of a judge's family?
  • Are the limitations on judges’ involvement with civic, charitable, educational, and other organizations appropriate and necessary?

Comments and recommendations on these subjects and any others are welcomed.