By: Daily Record Staff//October 24, 2011//
NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics
Character Reference
Appearance of Impropriety
Opinion 10-17
Background: A part-time judge asked whether he may be a character reference for a friend applying for a pistol permit. The judge states that the application must include four letters of recommendation.
Opinion: A part-time town justice may not serve, voluntarily, as a character reference for a friend who is applying for a pistol permit. In prior opinions, the committee advised that a part-time judge, who is also an attorney, could not write a reference letter to a sheriff for a pistol permit, even if the judge did not use his official judicial stationary.