Do lawyers have relationships with judges?

Lawyers often interact with judges and court staff, sometimes on a daily basis. In some circumstances, a lawyer is required to comply with standards ordinarily applicable only to judges (for example, a lawyer serving as a temporary judge, referee or court-appointed arbitrator).

Can I personally talk to a judge?

How can I speak to the judge on my case? To speak to the judge on your case, you must file a written motion with the court. You cannot write the judge a personal letter or email, and you cannot speak to the judge unless you are in a hearing.

Can a judge be Facebook friends with an attorney?

A judge’s Facebook friendship with an attorney is not a legally sufficient basis to disqualify the judge from that attorney’s case, a sharply divided (4-3) Florida Supreme Court has ruled in a decision that produced three different opinions from the seven jurists.

Can judges accept gifts?

Rule 3.13 begins: “A judge shall not accept any gifts, loans, bequests, benefits, or other things of value if acceptance is prohibited by law or would appear to a reasonable person to undermine the judge’s independence, integrity, or impartiality.”

Do judges read letters?

Remember that judges read hundreds of letters. The easier you make it for the judge to read, the most likely the judge will be able to focus on the message you are trying to convey. For most people, a typed letter is more legible than a handwritten one.

Can judges use social media?

Judges may use their real names and disclose their judicial status on social media, provided that doing so is not against applicable ethical standards and existing rules.

Can judges be on Facebook?

Judges don’t have to automatically recuse themselves from cases where a lawyer appearing before them is a Facebook friend, according to a majority of the Florida Supreme Court, but a different majority would be happy if judges stayed off the social networking site.

Can Supreme Court judges receive gifts?

Supreme Court justices are generally permitted to accept gifts. This is in contrast to members of the House and Senate, who generally cannot accept gifts, save with a few exceptions, like the gifts are small (under $50 in value) or given to them by close friends and family.

What is a public testimonial?

A “public testimonial” was defined by this Committee in Advisory Opinion 7-1988 as “an event given by people generally expressive of their appreciation and esteem towards the individual being honored.” A Judge should exercise the highest degree of conscientious discretion in making the determination of what constitutes …