Wash. Code. Jud. Cond. 3.6

As amended throough October 10, 2024

Rule 3.6 - Affiliation With Discriminatory Organizations

(A) A judge shall not hold membership in any organization that practices invidious discrimination on the bases of race, sex, gender, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation or other classification protected by law.

(B) A judge shall not use the benefits or facilities of an organization if the judge knows* or should know that the organization practices invidious discrimination on one or more of the bases identified in paragraph (A). A judge's attendance at an event in a facility of an organization that the judge is not permitted to join is not a violation of this Rule when the judge's attendance is an isolated event that could not reasonably be perceived as an endorsement of the organization's practices.

Wash. Code. Jud. Cond. 3.6

Comments

[1] A judge's public manifestation of approval of invidious discrimination on any basis gives rise to the appearance of impropriety and diminishes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. A judge's membership in an organization that practices invidious discrimination creates the perception that the judge's impartiality is impaired.

[2] Whether an organization practices invidious discrimination is a complex question to which judges should be attentive at all times, given the prevailing state and federal law. The answer cannot be determined from a mere examination of an organization's current membership rolls, but rather, depends on how the organization selects members, as well as other relevant factors, such as the organization's purposes or activities, and whether the organization is dedicated to the preservation or religious, ethnic, or cultural values of legitimate common interest to its members.

[3] If a judge learns that an organization to which the judge belongs engages in invidious discrimination, the judge must resign immediately from the organization.

[4] A judge's membership in a religious organization as a lawful exercise of the freedom of religion is not a violation of this Rule.