Justices exempt reimbursements from family court councils

The Indiana Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges are now exempted sources of reimbursement under Code of Judicial Conduct Rules 3.14 and 3.15, the Indiana Supreme Court announced.

Justices of the state’s highest court made the announcement upon finding that the councils are impartial legal organizations dedicated to assisting judicial education efforts around the nation, according to a Jan. 10 order.

“The Court further decides that the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications shall maintain a list of all organizations designated by this Court as exempted sources of reimbursement and shall make that list available to the public,” the order states.

Any judicial officer who receives reimbursement from ICJFCJ and NCJFCJ “for the necessary and reasonable expenses of travel, food, lodging, or other incidental expenses,” or receives a waiver or partial waiver of fees for registration or tuition for the judge or the judge’s spouse or guest is not required to report the reimbursement on the judge’s annual Statement of Economic Interests, according to the order.