Opinion ID: 2549762
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Appellant's Conduct on the Bench

Text: The Court of Judicial Discipline found appellant's on-bench conduct brought the judiciary into disrepute. Appellant claims her on-bench conduct could not have brought the judiciary into disrepute because it was Conahan and Ciavarella's misconduct, not her conduct, that brought the judiciary into disrepute. She further contends her on-bench conduct is speech protected by the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions and is entitled to immunity. The Board argues appellant has waived this claim because she failed to raise any free speech argument before the court, and she does not cite to which specific conduct was protected speech. We agree. Appellant never argued to the Court of Judicial Discipline that her on-bench conduct was protected speech, Conahan and Ciavarella's horrific misconduct nullified her distinct misconduct, or her actions were protected by any immunity. Accordingly, these claims are waived. See Pa. R.A.P. 302(a).