Section 3.12. Compensation for Extrajudicial Activities

A magisterial district judge may accept reasonable compensation for extrajudicial activities such as speaking, teaching and writing unless such acceptance would appear to a reasonable person to undermine the magisterial district judge’s independence, integrity, or impartiality.

Comment:

(1) A magisterial district judge is permitted to accept honoraria, stipends, fees, wages, salaries, royalties, or other compensation for speaking, teaching, writing, and other similar extrajudicial activities, provided the compensation is reasonable and commensurate with the task performed. The magisterial district judge should be mindful, however, that judicial duties must take precedence over other activities. See Rule 2.1.

(2) Compensation derived from extrajudicial activities shall be subject to public reporting. See Rule 3.15.

(3) The provisions of this rule are subject to the restrictions imposed by Rules 3.9 and 3.10.