Bumper Stickers And Judicial Ethics

A recent opinion from the Florida Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee:

ISSUES

If a judicial candidate knows that:  (1) a supporter is displaying the judicial  candidate’s campaign sign on the supporter’s vehicle, (2) the supporter also is  displaying a partisan candidate’s campaign sign on the supporter’s vehicle, and  (3) the judicial candidate could have the supporter remove the judicial  candidate’s campaign sign from the supporter’s vehicle, must the judicial  candidate do so?

ANSWER: Yes, if the supporter is an employee or official who  serves at the pleasure of the candidate. But if the supporter is an employee or  official subject to the candidate’s direction and control, the candidate is  merely required to discourage the supporter from such conduct.  If the supporter is neither of these, the  candidate is not required to take action but the committee would urge the  candidate to do so.

(Mike Frisch)