Which statement about city officials and traffic revenue enforcement is true?

• A. City officials are allowed to evaluate a judge on the amount of money collected from traffic offenses.
• B. There is no prohibition on evaluating a judge about traffic revenue.
• C. City officials may discipline a judge for the color of a traffic ticket.
• D. City officials are prohibited from evaluating or disciplining a judge on the amount of money collected from traffic offenses and may be removed from office for doing so.

Answer: (D)

Judges must be insulated from revenue pressures so their decisions stay fair and impartial. Evaluating a judge based on how much traffic fines bring in creates a direct incentive to influence outcomes toward revenue, which undermines judicial independence. Because using revenue as a basis for evaluation or discipline is improper and can lead to removal from office, the correct statement is that officials are prohibited from evaluating or disciplining a judge on the amount collected and may be removed for doing so. Choices that suggest evaluations or discipline for revenue are allowed, or that such prohibition doesn’t exist, aren’t consistent with protecting judicial impartiality.