Breakfast with Judges = justice for sale. In Arizona, Alaska, Florida, Michigan - and in New York

Yesterday, I published a blog article about an Arizona judge who is the subject of a judicial disciplinary proceedings for hosting "Breakfast with a Judge" for a fee:

Yet, "off the record" "Breakfasts with Judges" - for a fee - are a routine practice of bar associations across the United States.

In Alaska, the State Bar Association sold such "off the record" Breakfasts with Judges for $45 for "early birds" and for $70 for "late birds", to meet with four judges of Alaskan Court of Appeals, and with the court's clerk:

Such "breakfasts with judges - for a fee" - were held also in:

• Florida, see also here;
• Virginia;
• Federal bankruptcy court in Massachusetts.

And, of course, New York could not step back from having its share of encouraging judges into making an impression that their office is for sale.

Of course, having a lunch with a judge is presented as something completely benign - discussing "procedures", or, as it happens when American Inns of Courts are wining and dining judges, "promoting excellence of the legal profession".

But, creating a potential for a judge to meet with attorneys, away from the courtroom, and without presence of pro se parties and opponents of attending attorneys in court cases before those judges is, in essence exactly the same as it is in Arizona.

Whether it looks this way.

Or presented as a "hunting trip", a "duck-shooting trip", or an "all expenses paid 'educational' trip".

It stinks the same way.