Canon 7: A Federal Public Defender Employee Should Refrain from Inappropriate Political Activity

A. A defender employee should not be a candidate for or hold partisan elective office and should not solicit partisan political contributions. A defender employee should not engage in any political activity while on duty or in the defender employee’s workplace and may not utilize any federal resources in any such activity. Political activity includes, but is not limited to, displaying campaign literature, badges, stickers, signs or other items of political advertising on behalf of any party, political committee, or candidate for political office and soliciting signatures for political candidacy or membership in a political party.

B. A defender employee may engage in political activity not otherwise prohibited, provided that such activity does not detract from the dignity of the office or interfere with the proper performance of official duties. A defender employee who participates in political activity should not use his or her position or title in connection with such activity.

Note: See also 18 U.S.C. chapter 29 (elections and political activities).