Suggest a Topic

You may suggest a topic for CJEO to consider as the subject of a formal opinion if you are the representative of an entity or a member of the public. Your suggestion, including your name and identifying information, will be maintained as confidential by CJEO and will not be disclosed in any publication. Please note that the committee considers all suggestions for opinions but has the discretion to determine whether or not to issue an opinion and the form of any opinion or advice it provides. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.80(i)(1); CJEO rules 6(a) & 7(a).) To suggest a topic, email judicial.ethics@jud.ca.gov.

Did You Know?

Appeals heard by trial judges in Superior Court Appellate Divisions are governed by the statutory disqualification and disclosure rules for superior court judges rather than by the rules governing appellate justices. (Housing Authority of Monterey County v. Jones (2005) 130 Cal.App.4th 1029, 1040, ftn. 6; Rothman, et al., Cal. Judicial Conduct Handbook (4th ed. 2017) § 7:63, pp. 487-488¸§7:73, p. 496, § 7:90, pp. 502-503].

But Did You Also Know…?

While the rules for appellate disqualification and disclosure governing appellate justices do not apply to trial judges serving in Superior Court Appellate Divisions, they do apply to trial judges serving on assignment as a pro tem appellate justice at a court of appeal. (CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2018-025, Disqualification and Disclosure Duties of a Trial Judge Assigned as an Appellate Justice, p. 2 [disqualification and disclosure rules apply based on the type of proceeding rather than on the judicial officer’s formal title or status].) Superior court rules apply to superior court assignments in the appellate division of a trial court, which are superior court proceedings, while appellate rules apply to superior court judges assigned to hear appellate proceedings in a court of appeal.