2011 Report and Recommendations for Improving Pennsylvania's Judicial Discipline System

In the years preceding the publication of this report, the news was filled with many stories of Pennsylvania judges engaging in unethical behavior, violating the Code of Judicial Conduct ("the Judicial Code"), and even engaging in criminal conduct. Public trust and confidence in our courts is weakened when judges are disciplined because of unethical or improper behavior on the bench or the campaign trail and when judges face criminal charges.

What helps maintain public confidence in the face of such problems is the knowledge that there are clear ethical rules and guidelines governing judicial behavior; judges and the public are aware of these rules; the rules are enforced; and violations of the rules are punished.

Click here for the full report.