THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, June 11, 1996 TAG: 9606110347
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAVID M. POOLE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: 38 lines
Judge-elect A. Joe Canada Jr. of Virginia Beach has waded into uncharted ethical waters because his name is on an invitation to a fund-raiser for a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor.
Rules of judicial conduct adopted by the Virginia Supreme Court strictly prohibit sitting judges from taking part in partisan political activities.
The rules are silent, however, on conduct that takes place between the time judges are appointed by the General Assembly and when they are sworn into office.
Canada, who said he wasn't aware his name was on the invitation, says he is free to take part in party activities until July 12, when he will take the oath as a Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court judge.
``I'm just trying to move from being a politician and a lawyer,'' he said. ``On July 12, I give up all rights in that regard.''
But a Democrat who heads the House Courts Committee said that partisan activity by a judge-elect can create ``a perception of a problem.''
``It's not a good thing to do because it looks bad,'' said James F. Almand, D-Arlington.
Canada and his wife, Sandy, are among 50 individuals and couples listed as sponsors on an invitation to a June 22 fund-raiser in Virginia Beach for Coleman Andrews, who is running for next year's GOP nomination for lieutenant governor.
The return envelope is addressed to the Canadas' home. Sandy Canada, a long-time GOP fund-raiser, is working for Andrews.
Almand said the incident could lead the General Assembly to ask the Supreme Court to consider guidelines from the time judges are appointed until they take office.
``There are no rules that govern that period of time, except common sense,'' said Reno S. Harp III, counsel for the state Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission. by CNB