2009-31 (Emergency Staff Opinion issued September 9, 2009)
Gifts; Ordinary Social Hospitality; Canons 2 & 5

Issue: May a Judicial Official accept a ticket from a doctor to attend a charity fundraiser to benefit a hospital? Neither the doctor nor the hospital has any cases pending before the judge, although the hospital has cases pending in the superior court. The fair market value of the ticket is $150.

Emergency Staff Opinion: The Judicial Official can be a guest of the doctor at the charity fundraiser, but must report the gift in accordance with Canon 5 (c) (4) (C), since the value exceeds $100.