Opinion 17-37

March 16, 2017

Digest:         The Committee declines to answer hypothetical questions.

Rules:          Judiciary Law § 212(2)(l); Opinion 12-119.

Opinion: 

         A judge asks about appointing an unspecified relative to serve without compensation on an unspecified advisory panel for the courts. The judge has clarified that he/she would like to know the answer generally, but does not actually expect to make any such appointments.

         The Committee answers questions from judges about their own conduct. It does not answer hypothetical or speculative questions (see Opinion 12-119; Judiciary Law § 212[2][l]). Because this inquiry solely presents a hypothetical question, the Committee declines to respond.