PRINTER'S NO. 1827
No. 1565 Session of 1981
INTRODUCED BY CALTAGIRONE, JUNE 15, 1981
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JUNE 15, 1981
A JOINT RESOLUTION
1 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth
2 of Pennsylvania, authorizing nonlawyers to be justices or
3 judges.
4 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5 hereby resolves as follows:
6 Section 1. The following amendment to the Constitution of
7 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is proposed in accordance with
8 the provisions of Article XI thereof:
9 That section 12 of Article V be amended to read:
10 § 12. Qualifications of justices, judges and justices of the
11 peace.
12 [(a)] Justices, judges and justices of the peace shall be
13 citizens of the Commonwealth. [Justices and judges, except the
14 judges of the traffic court in the City of Philadelphia, shall
15 be members of the bar of the Supreme Court.] Justices and judges
16 need not be learned in the law. Justices and judges of statewide
17 courts, for a period of one year preceding their election or
18 appointment and during their continuance in office, shall reside
1 within the Commonwealth. Other judges and justices of the peace,
2 for a period of one year preceding their election or appointment
3 and during their continuance in office, shall reside within
4 their respective districts, except as provided in this article
5 for temporary assignments.
6 [(b) Judges of the traffic court in the City of Philadelphia
7 and justices of the peace shall be members of the bar of the
8 Supreme Court or shall complete a course of training and
9 instruction in the duties of their respective offices and pass
10 an examination prior to assuming office. Such courses and
11 examinations shall be as provided by law.]
12 Section 2. This proposed amendment shall be submitted by the
13 Secretary of the Commonwealth to the qualified electors of this
14 Commonwealth, at the primary, municipal or general election next
15 held after the advertising requirements of Article XI, section 1
16 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have
17 been satisfied.
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