JEAC says judges may identify themselves on social media

So long as the posts remain informational and the judge avoids legal advice, pending cases, and self-promotion

A judge may operate a social media page identifying themselves as a sitting judge, provided the posts are solely informational and do not provide legal advice, comment on pending cases or legal controversies, or use the prestige of judicial office to promote the page, according to the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee.

Acting September 10 in Opinion 2026-08, the committee also cautioned that the judge’s social media activities must not conflict with their professional schedule.

The inquiring judge said the page would discuss the role of a judge and relate life lessons learned while pursuing a career in the legal field. The judge also plans to emphasize that the legal profession is open to all and encourage individuals to pursue legal careers.

The judge said they would not discuss pending cases, legal controversies, or provide legal advice; use judicial equipment or resources, including the services of their judicial assistant; produce or promote the page while on state time; endorse products, promote businesses, fundraise, or display advertisements; or require compensation to participate in the page.

The judge asked only whether they could identify themselves as a judge on the page.

The JEAC said it has previously addressed judges authoring and promoting books, writing articles for websites about legal processes, and appearing on live media shows and podcasts. The committee said its opinions have turned on the circumstances surrounding the content or how the judge or material was presented or promoted.

The committee pointed to several previous opinions involving judges identifying themselves as judges in connection with permissible activities.

In JEAC Op. 2022-09, the committee said a judge could co-author a children’s book “intended to educate its readers about the role of a judge and to inspire children to dream of becoming judges, regardless of race, gender, or ethnic background.” The committee noted that the Code of Judicial Conduct did not prevent the judge from identifying themselves as a judge.

Likewise, in JEAC Op. 2010-12, the panel said promotional materials for a children’s book authored by a judge could identify the author as a judge. Most recently, in JEAC Op. 2025-04, the committee approved a judge’s use of a personal website to promote a co-authored book “for self-represented parties who are trying to make their way through family court.”

“The Committee reaffirms these previous opinions and concludes that a judge may operate a social media page in which they identify as a sitting judge provided the judge’s posts are solely informational, the judge does not use the social media page to provide legal advice, comment on pending cases or legal controversies, or use the prestige of judicial office to promote the page, and the judge’s activities do not conflict with their professional schedule,” the opinion says. “In short, as long as the judge’s activities do not run afoul of Canons 2B, 3A, 4A or 5A, identifying as a sitting judge is permissible.”

The committee said its conclusion was based on the inquiring judge’s description of the page and the topics to be addressed.

The Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee is charged with rendering advisory opinions to judges and judicial candidates on the application of the Code of Judicial Conduct to specific circumstances. Although the opinions are advisory and not binding on the Judicial Qualifications Commission, the Florida Supreme Court may consider compliance with a committee opinion as evidence of a judge's good faith in disciplinary proceedings.

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