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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 11, 2013 12:30 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Glen R. Grell and Rep. John P. Sabatina, Jr. |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Resolution - Judge Orie Melvin |
| The House of Representatives is charged with the constitutional duty to investigate whether inappropriate conduct by public officials, including Justices of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, merits impeachment. On February 21st, Justice Joan Orie Melvin of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court was found guilty of several criminal counts of theft of services, conspiracy, and misappropriation of state property. While the date of Orie Melvin’s sentencing hearing has not yet been set, she maintains a right to appeal her criminal convictions, which there is every reason to believe she will exercise. In the meantime, Orie Melvin remains suspended without pay by the Court of Judicial Discipline. The Judicial Conduct Board is moving forward with a proceeding before the Court of Judicial Discipline to determine if Orie Melvin violated the rules of professional conduct or the state Constitution or brought the judiciary into disrepute. If that court finds the evidence presented by the Judicial Conduct Board is clear and convincing, the case would then go to a sanction hearing at which the penalties could range from reprimand to removal and a ban from holding further office. While in the interest of Due Process it is imperative that our effort not interfere with any ongoing criminal appeals or the proceeding before the Court of Judicial Discipline, it also imperative that we fulfill our constitutional oversight responsibility regarding the Judiciary. Therefore, I ask you to join with me to cosponsor a resolution to authorize the House Judiciary Committee to investigate the conduct of Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin and determine whether she is liable to impeachment. This is the same process which was utilized to investigate Supreme Court Justice Larsen in 1993. Please contact my office at 783-2063 if you have any questions. Thank you |
Introduced as HR159