In re Judicial Ethics Op. 2012-1

• Decision Date: 17 April 2012
• Docket Number: No. 2012–1.,2012–1.
• Citation: 276 P.3d 1121,2012 OK JUD ETH 1
• Parties: JUDICIAL ETHICS OPINION 2012–1.
• Court: Oklahoma Judicial Ethics Advisory Panel

276 P.3d 1121
2012 OK JUD ETH 1

JUDICIAL ETHICS OPINION 2012–1.

No. 2012–1.

Oklahoma Judicial Ethics Advisory Panel.

April 17, 2012.

JUDICIAL ETHICS ADVISORY PANEL

¶ 1 Question: May a judge participate in a “Court School” program designed to help children, in a mock court scenario, to get more comfortable in preparing to testify in court in child abuse cases in which they were the alleged victim?

¶ 2 Facts: One of the programs of a Child Abuse Network is to conduct “Court School” designed to reduce a child's stress and anxiety before the child must appear at a hearing, the object being to improve the credibility of the witness and competence as a witness, according to information generated by the local District Attorney's Office. The release states that this is a collaborative effort of the Child Abuse Network, District Attorney's Office and the County Bar Association. The judge posing the question states that the Executive Director of the County Bar Association advised that he is unaware of any present involvement of the County Bar with the program. The website of the District Attorney's Office states “Court School is needing voluntary judges. Court School is put on by the Victim Witness Center. It is a mock court scenario to help kids get used to a courtroom before their court dates. Court School meets from 6–7. The dates volunteers are...