California Judges Can Serve on Outside Groups to Improve Courts

California judges can ethically serve on two statewide law-related organizations to improve courts, the state Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions said Tuesday.

Judges’ service is permitted provided they follow other Code of Judicial Ethics requirements, such as ensuring public confidence in the judiciary and avoiding involvement in partisan matters, the advisory opinion said.

Specifically, judges’ service on the California Access to Justice Commission or the Child Welfare Council is permitted by the code and encouraged by the Standards of Judicial Administration.

They “are nonpartisan organizations pursuing such goals as systemic improvements for low-income litigants, children, and families interacting ...