Be Not Afraid To Run For Office

The Montana Supreme Court has concluded that a public reprimand recommended by the Judicial Standards Commission cannot be imposed against the justice of the peace of Big Horn County (Leroy Not Afraid ), who ran for the tribal office of Crow Tribal Chairman. The tribal position is not an “elective public office” and thus the candidacy did not implicate the Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits a sitting judge from seeking an elective office.

Justice Nelson concurred in the result but “strongly disagree[d] with the Court’s rationale.” (Mike Frisch)