A judge in Oklahoma has asked the state’s Judicial Ethics Advisory Panel whether it is permissible for the judge to accept a “judge of the year” award from a law-related organization and take part in an acceptance video that will be shown as part of an awards banquet and on YouTube.

The judge may accept the award and complimentary tickets for the judge and family members to attend the ceremony, but may not participate in the acceptance video, the Panel replied in advisory opinion.

Descendants of Confederate veterans have no standing to sue to stop the relocation of a statue of Jefferson Davis on the University of Texas at Austin campus, the Court of Appeals of Texas has held.  It has affirmed a trial court decision dismissing the case.

A community theater promoting independent and art films qualifies as an organization that relieves the government of some of its burden and qualifies for real estate tax exemption in Pennsylvania.  The state Commonwealth Court has reversed a trial court and granted exemption to the Pocono Community Theater in East Stroudsburg.

A congregant of a church serving as a volunteer youth leader of the church’s youth ministry may not be prosecuted for violation of New Jersey’s Megan’s Law prohibition against sex offenders holding a position in a “youth serving organization.”  The Appellate Division of the state Superior Court has held that a church group is not included within the definition of a “youth serving organization.”

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a homeowners’ association judgment for more than $30,000 against a former president for breach of fiduciary duty while in office is not dischargeable in bankruptcy.  (Whitaker v. Moroney Farms Homeowners’ Association, Fifth Cir., No. 15-40926, 3/18/16.)

Sally Leonard, a member of the paddling committee of the New Hampshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club, claimed that after she said that fellow committee member Thomas Todd should not be allowed to participate in a paddling committee event because of “his history of aggressive behavior toward females,” her computer was hacked and her car window was broken.  She also claimed that she was afraid for her well-being.