In judicial canons, what does 'May' indicate?

In judicial canons, what does 'May' indicate?

• A. Mandatory action
• B. Prohibition
• C. Conditional
• D. Discretionary permission

Answer: (D)

Discretionary permission means the action is allowed but not required. When a judicial canon uses “may,” it gives the judge the option to act, depending on the circumstances and the judge’s judgment. It is not an obligation to act, nor a prohibition. In contrast, other words like shall or must signal a mandatory action, and terms like shall not indicate a prohibition. For example, a judge may participate in a related community event; the decision to participate is left to the judge’s discretion rather than being forced.

Discretionary permission means the action is allowed but not required. When a judicial canon uses “may,” it gives the judge the option to act, depending on the circumstances and the judge’s judgment. It is not an obligation to act, nor a prohibition. In contrast, other words like shall or must signal a mandatory action, and terms like shall not indicate a prohibition. For example, a judge may participate in a related community event; the decision to participate is left to the judge’s discretion rather than being forced.