Here in Pennsylvania we have an opportunity to say no to more right wing extremism in our judiciary. This November, two cookie-cutter examples of less than ethical and clearly partisan jurists are being put forward by the republican party for our Superior Court (the second highest court in the state).
When candidates for judicial office run around touting their support for their republican values (as opposed to American values) are they embracing and endorsing the open and publicly admitted corruption at the top of the Republican Party?
In a clear violation of judicial canons Megan King and Christylee Peck have been regular attendees at tRump rallies. Judges are supposed to be impartial and above the fray.
From the Code of Conduct for United States Judges:
Canon 2: A Judge Should Avoid Impropriety and the Appearance of Impropriety in all Activities
(A) Respect for Law. A judge should respect and comply with the law and should act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.
(B) Outside Influence. A judge should not allow family, social, political, financial, or other relationships to influence judicial conduct or judgment. A judge should neither lend the prestige of the judicial office to advance the private interests of the judge or others nor convey or permit others to convey the impression that they are in a special position to influence the judge. A judge should not testify voluntarily as a character witness.
(C) Nondiscriminatory Membership. A judge should not hold membership in any organization that practices invidious discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, or national origin.
Canon 5: A Judge Should Refrain from Political Activity
(A) General Prohibitions. A judge should not:
(1) act as a leader or hold any office in a political organization;
(2) make speeches for a political organization or candidate, or publicly endorse or oppose a candidate for public office; or
(3) solicit funds for, pay an assessment to, or make a contribution to a political organization or candidate, or attend or purchase a ticket for a dinner or other event sponsored by a political organization or candidate.
Peck, especially, as a sitting judge in the Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas has no excuse for showing up at a tRump rally.
Here’s Peck speaking on this topic to The Leader-Vindicator in New Bethlehem, PA:
Peck said she has enjoyed bipartisan support through the years, and while she has been a lifelong Republican, she shies away from mixing politics and law.
“As a judge, it doesn’t matter what ticket you’re on,” she said. “My heart’s in the law; politics aren’t in court.”
Doctors swear to follow the Hippocratic oath. I’m beginning to believe republican candidates must take a Hypocritic oath.
They’ve also both refused to answer questions about their views on Roe v. Wade claiming that judicial ethics preclude this. At the same time, they coyly point to their numerous endorsements from forced-birth organizations.
In that same vein, they are touting their endorsement by groups that oppose Red Flag and other common sense gun laws while dodging questions about their views.
In their answers to a questionnaire from pafamily.org both Peck and King chose Scalia as their judicial model and originalist as their preferred interpretation of the Constitution. Absent viable Ouija boards original intent is highly subjective, allowing questionable separation of clauses or selectively using more current definitions where that helps to bolster an “original” interpretation.
Both of them also spent years as Assistant District Attorneys working mainly on sex crimes prosecutions. On numerous occasions they agreed to plea bargains for child molesters so lenient as to be laughable. Yes, the stated reason for accepting the plea to save the victim from the stress of testifying is laudable. But, the ability of these two to negotiate the plea deals speaks to their competency to represent the state’s interests.
For example, King let the rape of a minor and 6 other charges be dropped in exchange for a sweetheart plea deal in 2017. The defendant in that case is already back in the court system charged with “Unlawful Contact With Minor — Sexual Offenses”
King only has around 4 years of actual ADA experience. Her running for Superior Court is like a high school freshman expecting to start for the Steelers or Eagles.
What to Do About It
We have a solution. Please consider supporting:
Amanda Green-Hawkins
Daniel McCaffery