Judges whose rulings are targeted in a campaign-related attack should think twice before defending their actions in a pending matter, even if recent ethics rule changes allow them to do just that, a state judicial committee suggested Monday.
The California Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions is asking for public comment on a draft formal opinion that would set parameters on 2020 amendments to Canon 3B(9) of the Code of Judicial Ethics. Those changes, enacted in the wake of the historical recall of a Santa Clara County judge, authorized judges to respond to criticism of their rulings in connection with a recall or election campaign.