Opinion 91-46

March 26, 1991

Honorable

Dear Judge

         The Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics, at its meeting of March 14, 1991, considered your inquiry (91-461, dated March 12, 1991, inquiring whether you may write a letter, at the request of a close friend, to a judge in connection with your friend’s criminal sentencing.

         Your question appears to be answered by our previous Opinion 89-73, a copy of which is enclosed. Accordingly, you may not write the letter voluntarily, but may respond to requests by the probation department for a reference.

                                                                               Very truly yours,

                                                                               Samuel J. Silverman

                                                                                         Chair