Legal Ethics

Judges Can Have Facebook Friends, with 'Constant Vigil,' Says Ohio Supreme Court Board

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An Ohio judge is allowed to have Facebook friends, the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline of the state’s top court held today.

But doing so requires “constant vigil,” the board says in its written opinion, because “a judge must maintain dignity in every comment, photograph and other information shared on the social network,” reports the Associated Press.

They also have to be careful to avoid bias and can’t gather evidence for cases from social media sites.

A state supreme court press release provides additional details and links to a copy of the Dec. 3 opinion.

Related coverage:

ABAJournal.com: “Judge Linked to ‘Lawmiss’ Web Comments Removed from Case”

ABAJournal.com: “Accused of Being ‘Self-Aggrandizing Media Hound,’ Casey Anthony Judge Steps Down”

ABAJournal.com: “Can a Judge Have Facebook Friends? It Depends on What State They Work In”

Columbus Dispatch: “Editorial: Friend of the court?”

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