MEMORANDUM
December 15, 2025
TO: Individuals Considering Town or Village Justice Positions within the State of New York
SUBJECT: Seeking Guidance on Potential Conflicts
A part-time judge’s outside employment must not be “incompatible with judicial office” and must not “conflict or interfere with” proper performance of judicial duties. 22 NYCRR 100.6(B)(4).
The Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics has addressed inquiries from sitting or aspiring part-time judges about whether their outside employment is ethically compatible with judicial office. It may be helpful to seek guidance if your current non-judicial employment requires you to:
- Maintain peace officer or police officer status; investigate possible crimes or work closely with law enforcement agencies;
- Prosecute infractions, violations, misdemeanors, or other crimes; or supervise others who perform such prosecutorial or quasi-prosecutorial duties;
- Handle petitions for juvenile delinquency or persons-in-need-of supervision matters; handle petitions for civil management of recidivist sex offenders;
- Make political contributions or otherwise engage in political activity or lobbying;
- Personally raise funds for any person or organization; personally solicit members for any organization;
- Be involved in frequent transactions or continuing business relationships with lawyers or other persons likely to come before the justice court.
Please visit our Town and Village Justice FAQs for additional information. If you need advice about the ethical compatibility of your own current employment with your prospective part-time judicial office, you may call our staff counsel at 866-795-8343 to request guidance.