before you ask the justice
- Why has the court agreed to do this?
- What types of questions will the court answer?
- May I ask a question about a pending or impending case?
- May I ask the court about legal issues?
- May I ask a question about courts other than the Fifth District?
- How will the questions be presented to the court?
- Should I expect an answer?
- Will my question always be posted in the CCAP site archives?
- How can I tell if a question has already been asked by someone?
- Will my identity be given to the court with my question?
- Why is my email address required with my question?
- Will CCAP pass on criticisms to the court?
- How soon should I expect an answer?
1. Why has the court agreed to do this?
A: Presiding Justice Ardaiz has graciously offered to answer questions about the Fifth District’s procedures and process to educate the public as to the operation of the court and has asked CCAP to facilitate that communication.
2. What types of questions will the court answer?
A: The court is happy to answer questions about procedure and process in the Fifth District.
3. May I ask a question about a pending or impending case?
A: No, the court will not comment on a pending or impending matter. A case is pending until it is fully resolved, including while it is on appeal or possibly could be appealed.
4. May I ask the court about legal issues?
A: No, pursuant to the Judicial Canon of Ethics a judge must avoid any speech that gives the impression the judge is predisposed on the merits of a particular type of case or has predetermined a legal issue.
5. May I ask a question about courts other than the Fifth District?
A: No.
6. How will the questions be presented to the court?
A: CCAP will moderate the questions and may choose to edit the question presented. The question will be sent to the court without any identifying information from the original sender.
7. Should I expect an answer?
A: CCAP will choose which questions to forward to the court. When we receive an answer it will be emailed to you and posted in the site archives. It is also possible that we may choose not to forward a question, in which case we will inform you of this. Some questions cannot be answered because it could potentially create a conflict according to the Judicial Canons of Ethics. We will not send any question that we believe may potentially create a conflict for the court.
8. Will my question always be posted in the CCAP site archives?
A: CCAP will choose which questions to archive. Questions should be treated as part of a public discussion even though the public cannot directly ask the question. The question will be posted without any identifying information from the original sender.
9. How can I tell if a question has already been asked by someone?
A: Please review the archives before asking your question.
10. Will my identity be given to the court with my question?
A: No.
11. Why is my email address required with my question?
A: CCAP may contact you for further information via email, but no identifying information will be given to the court with the question.
12. Will CCAP pass on criticisms to the court?
A: No, not unless it is in the form of a legitimate question as outlined in these FAQs. In our experience such exchanges are otherwise not usually productive.
13. How soon should I expect an answer?
A: Once a question is forwarded, it may take some time to receive an answer as it will depend on the workload of both the court and CCAP.