Conflict of Interest P.B.A. Attorney Becoming Municipal Judge

95 N.J.L.J. 206
March 9, 1972

OPINION 232

Conflict of Interest
P.B.A. Attorney
Becoming Municipal Judge

We have been asked whether it is ethical for an attorney who has previously represented a Patrolmen's Benevolent Association and its members in a particular municipality in salary negotiations with the municipality, to serve as Judge of the Municipal Court in the same municipality. The attorney making the inquiry suggests that in the great majority of cases which may come before a municipal court judge, there will be appearances by the police officers with whom he has recently been dealing through their association as a negotiator and personal representative.
Obviously, the selection of a municipal court judge is a matter solely in the discretion of the governing body of the municipality. It may very well be that the close former relationship of the judge to police officers frequently appearing
before him might require the judge to disqualify himself in particular instances, but this is not a matter for determination by this Committee at this time.