Expedited Opinions
Previously Oral Advice Summaries
CJEO provides expedited opinions, previously known as oral advice summaries, that address judicial ethics inquiries from judicial officers and candidates for judicial office. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.80(i)(1) [committee authorized to issue expedited opinions].)
CJEO provides and publishes expedited opinions for the benefit of the bench and the public. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.80(k)(3).) The names and identifying information of those requesting expedited opinions or whose conduct is the subject of an expedited opinion are not disclosed. The committee has discretion to publish opinions on any subject it deems appropriate and to determine the form of any opinion or advice it provides. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.80(i)(1) & (j)(1).)
Expedited Opinions Listed by Year
2026
- CJEO Expedited Opinion 2026-055 – Judicial Campaign Contribution Limits
- CJEO Expedited Opinion 2026-054 – Request to Presiding Judge to Provide Information to Government Entity Relevant to Impending Litigation
- CJEO Expedited Opinion 2026-053 – Seeking Contributions and Endorsements from Fellow Court Commissioners
2025
2023
- CJEO Expedited Opinion 2023-051 – Extrajudicial Service as a Government Affairs Director for Another State’s Attorney General
- CJEO Expedited Opinion 2023-050 – Judicial Obligations for Prior Service by an Appellate Staff Attorney in a Pending Matter
2022
- CJEO Expedited Opinion 2022-049 – Responding to a Request for a Declaration in a Habeas Corpus Action
- CJEO Expedited Opinion 2022-048 – Commenting on or Endorsing Legal Education Books Written by Others
- CJEO Expedited Opinion 2022-047 – Fundraising by Retired Judges Engaged in Private Dispute Resolution Services
- CJEO Expedited Opinion 2022-046 – Disqualification When a Judge’s Spouse May be a Material Witness
- CJEO Expedited Opinion 2022-045 – Disqualification Obligations for Participants in the California Judicial Mentor Program (CJMP)
2021
- CJEO Expedited Opinion 2021-044 – Disqualification for Civics Education Activities in Matters Involving School District Mask and Vaccine Mandates
- CJEO Expedited Opinion 2021-043 – Service on the California Access to Justice Commission or Child Welfare Council
- CJEO Expedited Opinion 2021-042 – Social Media Posts About the Law, the Legal System, or the Administration of Justice
- CJEO Expedited Opinion 2021-041 – Service on a Governmental Task Force
- CJEO Expedited Opinion 2021-040 – Acceptance of Campaign Contributions Donated by a Court Employee PAC to a Judicial PAC
- CJEO Expedited Opinion 2021-039 – Gift Exchanges Between Judges and Their Staff
- CJEO Expedited Opinion 2021-038 – Acceptance of Attorney Services from a Law Firm
- Notice: Oral Advice Summaries changed to Expedited Opinions effective Jan. 2, 2021
2020
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2020-037 – Judicial Obligations Relating to Social Media Comments by Appellate Court Staff
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2020-036 – Appellate Disqualification for Judicial Council Service in Matters Challenging COVID-19 Emergency Rules
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2020-035 – Appellate Disqualification for Prior Peremptory Challenge as a Trial Judge in the Matter
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2020-034 – Judges Working Remotely After Court Reopening During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2020-033 – Party Reimbursement of Judicial Expenses
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2020-032 – Judicial Obligations Regarding Witness Face Masks During the COVID-19 Pandemic
2019
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2019-031 – Extrajudicial Service as a Rotary District Youth Protection Officer
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2019-030 – Acceptance of a Private Testimonial Dinner and Honors
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2019-029 – Appellate Disqualification for Prior Assignment as Coordinated Proceedings Judge
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2019-028 – Service on a Civil Liberties Program Advisory Panel for the State Library
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2019-027 – Service on a Nonprofit Advisory Board Involved in Criminal Justice Issues
2018
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2018-026 – Soliciting Endorsements from Trial Court Judges for Other Appellate Court Justices Subject to Retention Elections
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2018-025 – Disqualification and Disclosure Duties of a Trial Judge Assigned as an Appellate Justice
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2018-024 – Reporting Misconduct by a Superior Court Research Attorney in a Pending Matter
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2018-023 – Disqualification Responsibilities of Appellate Court Justices
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2018-022 – Disclosure Requirements for a State Bar Court Review Department Judge
2017
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2017-021 – Disqualification for Acquaintance with Leaders of an Amicus Curiae
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2017-020 – Judicial Service on a Nonprofit Credit Union Advisory Council
2016
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2016-019 – Accepting Compensation for Performing a Marriage After July 10, 2017 [Updated]
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2016-018 – Administering the Oath of Office to a Recently Elected District Attorney
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2016-017 – Disqualification for Prior Appearance as a Deputy District Attorney In Another Proceeding
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2016-016 – Disqualification of a Pro Tem Appellate Justice Under Active Consideration
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2016-015 – Full Bench Disqualification
2015
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2015-014 – Judicial Membership in a Church-Sponsored Boy Scouts of America Troop
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2015-013 – Judicial Membership in a Boy Scouts of America-Sponsored Eagle Scout Alumni Group
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2015-012 – Inviting Attorneys to Provide Legal Education to Appellate Justices
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2015-011 – Use of Judicial Title on a Scholarship Fund
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2015-010 – Service by an Appellate Justice as a Compliance Officer in Pending Federal Proceedings
2014
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2014-009 – Prohibition on Fundraising While a Subordinate Judicial Officer
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2014-008 – Application of the Rule Of Necessity
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2014-007 – Judicial Review of Ex Parte Applications for Family Law Contempt Orders
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2014-006 – Disqualification for Membership in a Specialty Women's Bar Association
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2014-005 – Disqualification for Membership in an Amicus Curiae
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2014-004 – Use of a Testimonial Letter to Promote a National Bar Association Program
2013
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2013-003 – Fundraising Among Judges for a Civics Education Project of a Nonprofit National Legal Association
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2013-002 – Attending a Private Foundation Meeting to Speak About National and State Civics Education Work
- CJEO Oral Advice Summary 2013-001 – Disclosure When a Judges Spouse Serves on a City Commission