T/F: The judge and clerk may help the prosecutor, police officer, and/or code enforcement officer investigate a crime.

• A. Sometimes
• B. Never
• C. False
• D. True

Answer: (C)

Judges and clerks must keep the investigative process separate from the courtroom. A judge’s job is to preside over cases and rule on issues after the charges and evidence are presented—not to help prosecutors or police gather facts. Assisting in an investigation could compromise impartiality and violate rules against ex parte communications. A court clerk’s duties are administrative: filing, docketing, and maintaining records, not directing or aiding an investigation. When records are requested, they are provided only through proper procedures, not as part of an investigation. Because of these boundaries, the statement is false.