Notice of Public Hearing
From Mark I. Harrison,
ABA Joint Commission to Evaluate the
ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct
Hearing date: October 22, 2004
The ABA Joint Commission on Evaluation of the Model Code of Judicial Conduct will hold the seventh in a series of public hearings to obtain comments and suggestions relating to the present Code on Friday, October 22, 2004 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
This hearing will take place Friday, October 22, 2004 at the Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown – Lakefront, 511 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, IL 60611. 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 gallaghe@staff.abanet.org or (312) 988-5105 no later than October 15, 2004. This will allow time to schedule all persons interested in appearing on October 22.
An electronic version of your proposed comments should be submitted by October 8, 2004. 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 October 15 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 Chicago 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 Chicago, 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.