Is it permissible for the presiding municipal judge to hire the child of a sister of an alternate municipal judge to type docket sheets?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only with district court approval
• D. It depends on the number of docket sheets

Answer: (B)

Hiring a relative in the judiciary creates a risk of nepotism and undermines public confidence in impartiality. In this scenario, the presiding judge would be employing the child of a sister of another judge, which is a close family connection within the same court system. That close relation can influence, or appear to influence, decisions about work assignments, supervision, or advancement, so most judicial ethics rules prohibit such employment to avoid conflicts and the perception of favoritism. Because of that, it’s not permissible even if someone suggested district court approval or the number of docket sheets could change the optics. The restriction rests on avoiding nepotism and safeguarding impartiality, not on procedural loopholes.