That being said, a judge needs to be held to higher standard than the general populace to avoid the appearance of impropriety. Should a judge be removed if her husband is an organized crime figure? You bet. Should they be removed if their mate stole a car for a joyride 20 or 30 years ago but done nothing since? No. Should a judge be removed if married to a convicted pedophile? Possibly (allowing for the fact that there will be some with religious prohibitions on terminating some relationships). Should they be removed if married to a convicted traitor? Without a doubt.

As you can see, there is latitude for reasonableness even when the higher standard is applied to judges.

As for the general public, I can see where it could be an employment issue in certain areas and circumstances. Would a bank want a vault manager married to a convicted bank robber? No. Should the hospital fire a nurse married to a convicted bank robber? No. Should a nurse be allowed to be married to a convicted drug dealer/addict who specialized in black market pharmaceuticals? Conditionally yes – hospital processes should track drugs and perhaps particular attention should be paid to the nurse’s access. If there are no irregularities, employment shouldn’t be an issue. Should the nurse receive higher scrutiny if the conviction had been for marijuana instead? Probably not. Relevance to the job at hand and threat assessment is the issue. Access to courts or arbitration to resolve disputes is a given.

I can’t agree with you here but don’t know what the law says. Just as people can’t take glory from their ancestors and relatives etc., we can’t have our own worth taken away by ignoble ancestors and evil relatives. Again, I don’t know the law, and you do. My friend’s husband committed a felony. He’s a cruel, heartless bastard whom I wish she would divorce, but I’m glad she didn’t lose a job over it.

Jill