“By A Committee Of Responsible Persons”

A recent opinion from the Florida Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee:

ISSUES

1. Must a campaign website state that it is maintained by the committee of responsible persons in support of a judicial candidate’s campaign, so it is clear that the website is not maintained by the candidate personally?

ANSWER: Yes, if the website seeks to solicit campaign funds or attorneys’ publicly stated support.

2. May a website maintained by the committee of responsible persons in support of a judicial candidate’s campaign include a link or other feature to facilitate contributions to the campaign?

ANSWER: The Code of Judicial Conduct does not govern the procedures used in soliciting campaign funds, other than the requirement that it be conducted by the committee of responsible persons.

3. May a website maintained by a committee of responsible persons in support of a judicial candidate’s campaign include an address to which contributions may be mailed to the campaign?

ANSWER: The Code of Judicial Conduct does not govern the procedures used in soliciting campaign funds, other than the requirement that it be conducted by the committee of responsible persons.

(Mike Frisch)