Court Opinion

ID: 9946031
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-02-28 21:11:59.314312+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:25:20.467271
License: Public Domain

Regulations of the Judicial Ethics Advisory Board

1.0    Preamble

       1.1     Purpose

               [As a unified body, independent from the judicial conduct structures
               of the Judicial Conduct Board and Court of Judicial Discipline, t]The
               Judicial Ethics Advisory Board [(JEAB)] is the designated and approved
               body to render advice, [and] opinions, and guidance regarding appropriate
               ethical conduct involving all judicial officers and candidates for all judicial
               offices who are subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct and/or the Rules
               Governing Standards of Conduct of Magisterial District Judges (collectively,
               the “Codes”).1

       1.2     Mission Statement

               To ensure the continued integrity and public trust of Pennsylvania’s
               judiciary, the Judicial Ethics Advisory Board shall, upon request, provide
               Advice and/or Opinions to any Judicial Officer or judicial candidate based
               on the Codes.        [The Advice and Opinions shall strive, where
               appropriate, to distinguish between mandatory and aspirational
               provisions of the Codes so as to guide the conduct of Judicial Officers
               as required under the Codes.]

2.0    Definitions
       All terms used in these Regulations shall have their ordinary meanings unless
       noted otherwise or as defined by the Pennsylvania Rules of the Judicial Ethics
       Advisory Board [(Pa.R.J.E.A.B.)] or these Regulations.

       “Advice/Panel Advice” or “Advisory Opinion” – A Panel’s written advisory
             opinion issued in response to a written Request received from a Judicial
             Officer.

       “Attendance” or “Attending” – Board Members present at a Board meeting
             either in person or by electronic or other means permitting interaction
             between the Members.

       “Board” – The Judicial Ethics Advisory Board.

1 The [JEAB] Judicial Ethics Advisory Board supersedes the prior designations of committees of the

Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges and the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania
to render such advice or opinions.
“Codes” – Collectively, the Code of Judicial Conduct and the Rules Governing
     Standards of Conduct of Magisterial District Judges.

“Essential Member” – The Member of a Panel who is of the same judicial level
     as the inquiring Judicial Officer.

“General Ethics Guidance” – A written opinion by the Board that the Board may,
     in its discretion, issue to address general ethics advisory guidance on any
     relevant topic under the Codes. General Ethics Guidance is not in response
     to a specific written request from a Judicial Officer.

“Issuance” or “Issued” – The act of communicating the written decision of a
      Panel or the Board to a Judicial Officer as provided for under these
      Regulations.

“Judicial Officer” – Any individual within the Application of the Codes, including
      judicial candidates.

“Member” – An individual appointed to the [Judicial Ethics Advisory] Board.

“Opinion” – A decision by the Board, as provided for under these Regulations, to
      either adopt, modify, or overrule the Advice of a Panel interpreting an
      inquiring Judicial Officer’s duties and obligations under the Codes, in
      response to a specific, factual scenario submitted for that purpose.

“Panel” – Three [(3)] Members of the Board whom staff appoints to render Advice
     in response to a Request from a Judicial Officer.

“Request” – A written submission by a Judicial Officer to the Board seeking an
     Advisory Opinion under Section 8.0 of these Regulations.

“Regulations” – These Judicial Ethics Advisory Board Regulations as adopted
     by the Board and [as amended] approved by the [Board from time to
     time] Supreme Court.

“Rule” or “Rules” – Unless otherwise indicated, rule citations herein refer
      to [T]the Pennsylvania Rules of the Judicial Ethics Advisory Board
      (Pa.R.J.E.A.B.).

“Served or Service” – The transmission of an Advice or Opinion of the Board
      whether by mail, email, fax, or some other authorized manner of secure
      delivery as provided for under these Regulations.

“Staff” – The Executive Director of the Board [Employees of the JEAB,
       including] and any other full-time[,] and part-time personnel appointed
            by the Board under Rule 104(d)(2) [contract and/or designated agents
            of the JEAB, either current or future].

3.0   Board Membership

      3.1   Officers

            In accordance with [Pa.R.J.E.A.B.] Rule 104(a), the Supreme Court shall
            designate one Member to serve as Chair and another to serve as Vice-
            Chair.

      3.2   The Chair shall:

            3.2.1 [Preside over the Board at all Board meetings.

            3.2.2 Decide all points of order, subject to appeal by no less than 2/3
                  of those Members present.] With the assistance of the Executive
                  Director, set the meeting agenda and determine the order in
                  which Board business is addressed.

            3.2.2 Preside over the Board at all Board meetings.

            3.2.3 [The duties and powers of the Chair shall not be limited to those
                  expressed herein but shall be subject to any law or rule
                  otherwise duly promulgated and enacted] Exercise any other
                  prerogatives or duties specifically delegated by the Board or
                  referenced in these Regulations.

      3.3   The Vice-Chair shall[:

            3.3.1 Assist the Chair as requested or required.

            3.3.2 Serve in place of the Chair if the Chair is unable to execute the
                  duties and responsibilities of the position.] assume the
                  prerogatives and duties of the Chair if the Chair position is
                  vacant or the Chair is absent or unable to act.

      3.4   Standards of Member Conduct

            3.4.1 Appellate and Trial Court Judge Members shall be bound by the
                  Code of Judicial Conduct.

            3.4.2 Magisterial District Judge Members shall be bound by the Rules
                  Governing Standards of Conduct of Magisterial District Judges.
            3.4.3 Attorney Members of the Board shall be bound by the Rules of
                  Professional Conduct.

            3.4.4 [Pa.R.J.E.A.B.] Rule 105 (Confidentiality) and Section 5.0
                  hereof[,] evidence a strong commitment to encourage Judicial
                  Officers to seek ethics advisory opinions and that all such
                  communications to and from the Board are to be confidential. In light
                  of these objectives, Members are relieved of any obligation under the
                  Codes to report to an appropriate authority conduct of a Judicial
                  Officer that is the subject of a Request permitted under these
                  Regulations.

      3.5   Conflicts

            Members shall refrain from participating in the work of either a Panel or
            Board that pertains to their own Request or in any other matter where a
            Member’s impartiality might reasonably be questioned.

      3.6   [While acting in their official capacity, Judge Members shall be
            deemed to be performing a judicial function.] Board Member Training

            3.6.1 The Board shall develop a course of training on judicial ethics,
                  as regulated by the Codes, which course of training will be
                  subject to approval by the Continuing Judicial Education Board.

            3.6.2 Every Board member shall complete the approved training prior
                  to engaging in service on the Board.

            3.6.3 A member may complete the required training either by
                  attending in-person training or via a pre-recorded training
                  program.

4.0   Board Meetings
      4.1   Board Calendar

            For reporting purposes, the Board shall operate on a [fiscal] calendar year
            beginning [July] January 1st and ending [June 30th] December 31st.

      4.2   Meeting Dates

            The Board shall meet at least quarterly. At or prior to the last meeting of
            the Board for the [fiscal] calendar year, the [Board] Chair shall establish
            fixed meeting dates for the next Board Calendar. The Board may convene
            meetings at such other times as the Chair or a majority of the Members
            determine. Staff shall provide all Members due and timely notice of all
            Board meetings.

      4.3   Member Participation

            Board Decisions are enhanced by the participation of all Members;
            therefore, Members are encouraged to attend each meeting in person and
            to participate in all Board discussions and decisions.

      4.4   Quorum
            4.4.1 A majority of the Members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

            4.4.2 When less than a quorum of Members is in Attendance, it shall be
                  the duty of the Chair or Vice-Chair to adjourn the meeting.
            4.4.3 In the absence of the Chair and Vice-Chair, it shall be the duty of the
                  [most senior Member] Executive Director to adjourn the meeting
                  when less than a quorum is in Attendance. [Seniority shall be
                  established by date of admission to the Pennsylvania Bar.]

      4.5   Voting and Decisions

            Members must be in Attendance to vote. Proxy votes are not
            permitted. Votes or opinions expressed prior to discussion at a
            meeting of the Board shall not be considered for purposes of
            determining Board action.
            4.5.1 Board Decisions shall be determined as follows:

                   a.     A majority vote by the Members Attending a duly called
                          Meeting of the Board shall be required to adopt, modify or
                          reverse any Advice.

                   b.     A majority vote of all Members shall be required to modify or
                          reverse a previously issued Opinion of the Board.

                   c.     A majority vote of all Members shall be required to modify,
                          reverse, or adopt the issuance of a General Guidance.

5.0   Confidentiality

      Communications to and from the Board are confidential except as described here.
      Establishing the confidentiality of Board proceedings and communications to and
      from the Board is critical to encourage Judicial Officers [and candidates for
      judicial office] to seek ethics opinions and advice from the Board. Encouraging
      Judicial Officers [and candidates for judicial office] to seek ethics opinions and
      advice from the Board will promote ethical conduct and the fair administration of
      justice. The need for preserving confidentiality outweighs the need for disclosure
      in the interest of justice. Therefore, to implement [Pa.R.J.E.A.B. No.] Rule 105
      (Confidentiality), and to promote ethical conduct by Judicial Officers [and
      candidates for judicial office] and to encourage them to seek ethics opinions
      and advice from the Board, the following confidentiality requirements and
      exceptions apply to Requests and other matters before the Board:

      5.1   Confidentiality
            With the exception of Opinions and General Ethics Guidance published by
            the Board under [Pa.R.J.E.A.B. No.] Rules 204(b) (Publication of Board
            Opinions) and (c) (General Ethics Guidance), all Opinions, inquiries,
            replies, circulated drafts, records, documents, writings, files,
            communications with Staff, work product of the Board or Staff, and
            deliberations and proceedings of the Board are confidential.

      5.2   Members and Staff
            Members of the Board and Staff may not disclose (outside the Board or
            Staff) any confidential information, including identifying information,
            obtained by the Board or Staff.

      5.3   Waiver of Confidentiality by Judicial Officer
            A Judicial Officer [or candidate for judicial office] may waive
            confidentiality, and such a waiver must be in writing. If a Judicial Officer [or
            candidate] making a request for an Opinion or Advice waives confidentiality
            or asserts reliance on an Opinion or Advice in judicial or attorney discipline
            proceedings, such Opinion or Advice no longer is confidential under these
            Rule. Notwithstanding any such waiver, Board deliberations and all other
            records concerning the Request shall remain confidential.
      5.4   Conclusion of Service by Members of the Board
            Board Members shall return to Staff or destroy any records in their
            possession at the end of their terms of service.

6.0   [JEAB] Board Contact Information
Any Judicial Officer may request an Advisory Opinion by submitting a Request to
the Board in writing. Requests may be submitted via United States Mail, special
courier, fax, or email.

6.1   Mailing Address
      The designated mailing address for any communications addressed to the
      [JEAB] Board, including Requests for Advisory Opinions, shall be:
                    Judicial Ethics Advisory Board
                     Pennsylvania Judicial Center
                601 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 6100
                             PO Box 62333
                      Harrisburg, PA 17106-2333

6.2   Email Address
      The designated email address for any communications sent to the [JEAB]
      Board, including Requests for Advisory Opinions, shall be:
                                JEAB@pacourts.us
6.3   Fax Number
      The designated fax number for any communications sent to the [JEAB]
      Board, including Requests for Advisory Opinions, shall be:
                                     717-231-9594

6.4   Electronic Mail

      Any Board action required to be communicated in writing may be sent by
      electronic mail, provided such electronic mail includes the following
      language:

      Confidentiality Statement: This electronic mail transmission (including
      attachments) is covered by the Electronics Communications Privacy Act, 18
      U.S.C. §§2510-2521, is confidential, and/or may be legally privileged. The
      information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named in
      this transmission. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby
      notified that any retention, dissemination, distribution, or copying, or the
      taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this transmission, is strictly
      prohibited. Please reply to the sender that you have received the message
      in error, and then delete it.

6.5   Public Media
            All requests for commentary or interview by the news media regarding the
            Board or Board business should be referred to either the [Chair] Executive
            Director or to the Supreme Court’s Press and Communications Office at
            717-231-3324.

7.0   Records and Files
      7.1   Security
            All records, papers, files, etc. of the JEAB shall be confidential and shall
            remain confidential. Staff shall adequately secure all files and records of
            the Board, regardless of format (i.e., paper and/or electronic), to ensure
            confidentiality.

      7.2   Storage Format

            Paper documents shall be converted to an electronic format.

      7.3   Paper File Retention Schedule

            All paper documents shall be maintained for one calendar year after
            conversion to an electronic format. Upon expiration of one year, paper
            records may be destroyed in a secure manner.

      7.4   Electronic File Retention Schedule

            Electronic files shall be maintained according to the following schedule, or
            as otherwise required by law:

                                                             Mandatory Retention
                       Category        Time Measured From:
                                                                  Period
                     Requests for
                  Advisory Opinion –      Date of receipt        Retain 2 years
                   No Jurisdiction

                    Requests for
                                                              Permanent Record –
                  Advisory Opinion -      Date of receipt
                                                               Retain indefinitely
                      OPENED

                                                              Permanent Record –
                        Advice           Date of Issuance
                                                               Retain indefinitely

                                                              Permanent Record –
                       Opinion           Date of Issuance
                                                               Retain indefinitely
                                                                    Permanent Record –
                                                                 Retain indefinitely (in the
                                                                  event of a retirement or
                                                                 overruling of the General
            General Guidance           Date of Adoption
                                                                   Guidance, the original
                                                                    shall nonetheless be
                                                                 maintained, although no
                                                                     longer published)

              Miscellaneous
              Matters Where        Date of receipt or creation
                                                                       Retain 3 years
              Official Action                of item
                  Taken

                  General
             Correspondence
                                   Date of receipt or creation
               Records Not                                             Retain 1 year
                                             of item
            Relating to Official
              Action Taken

            Financial Records:
            Journals, Invoices,
                                     Close of the year for
              Bills, Expense                                           Retain 7 years
                                    which the records apply
              Reports, BEV,
              Receipts, etc.

                                                                 Retain fiscal year plus 5
            Budget Preparation     Date of receipt or creation    years or as otherwise
                  Files                      of item              provided by funding
                                                                          source

            Minutes of Board        Date of Adoption by the        Permanent Record –
               Meetings                      Board                  Retain indefinitely

              Training (Not             Date of event or            Retain 5 years after
               Individual)                completion             presentation is completed

              Purchase Order       Date of receipt or creation
                                                                       Retain 7 years
                   Files                     of item

7.5   Conflict with Other Retention Schedules
      These schedules are intended to be consistent with those set forth in the
      Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Administrative Office of Pennsylvania
      Courts (AOPC) Record Retention & Disposition Schedule.            Unless
      otherwise required by law, AOPC schedules shall govern.

7.6   Mandatory Minimum Retention Periods
      The record retention periods set forth herein are minimum retention terms,
      after which the files may be destroyed. The files may also be retained for
      longer than the established retention periods.
      7.7    Methods of Record Destruction
             7.7.1 Confidential Records
                    When confidential information may be contained in the records,
                    shredding is the preferred method of destruction. Regardless of
                    manner, destruction of records shall be by such a means as to
                    permanently prevent the disclosure of the contents thereof.
             7.7.2 Non-Confidential Records
                    Records that do not contain confidential information may be
                    shredded, incinerated, or otherwise destroyed according to general
                    practice.

8.0   Panel Advice and Board Review
      Judicial Officers must submit Requests to the Board in writing under Section 6.0.
      A Request must contain a statement of the facts regarding the intended conduct
      and a concise question of judicial ethics, with references to the relevant section(s)
      of the Codes, case law, and other authority the inquiring Judicial Officer already
      has consulted. A Request must relate to the inquiring Judicial Officer’s own
      prospective conduct or conduct of the inquiring Judicial Officer that has occurred
      in the past and is ongoing. The Board will not consider a Request by the
      inquiring Judicial Officer relating to the conduct or prospective conduct of
      another Judicial Officer except as necessary to address a Judicial Officer’s
      obligations pursuant to Rule 2.12 (Supervisory Duties) of the applicable
      Code. A Request may not relate to hypothetical situations or to facts that are the
      subject of past or pending litigation, disciplinary investigation, or disciplinary
      proceedings. Judicial Officers must submit Requests at least 14 days prior to the
      event or action giving rise to the question. The Board Chair or the Chair’s designee
      may, in his or her discretion, waive this 14-day requirement for good cause and if
      the inquiry can be addressed in the time available.
      8.1    Request Intake
             The Executive Director is designated and authorized to receive any and all
             Requests seeking an Advisory Opinion.

      8.2    Jurisdictional Closure
             Any request for an Advisory Opinion from someone other than a Judicial
             Officer may be closed by the Executive Director for lack of jurisdiction
             without Board approval.

      8.3    Insufficient Request
       If the [JEAB] Board receives a jurisdictionally appropriate Request but
       lacks sufficient information to render Advice, Staff will obtain additional facts
       from the inquiring Judicial Officer. Staff may close the Request without
       Board approval if the inquiring Judicial Officer fails or refuses to provide
       the requested information within [fourteen (]14[)] days.

8.4    Panel Determination and Assignment
       Following receipt of a Request, the Executive Director shall identify the level
       of the judicial system of the inquiring Judicial Officer. The Executive
       Director shall assign the Request to a [pre-determined] Panel [approved
       by the Board].

8.5    Panel Member Assignment
       [In an effort to foster diversity and workload equality, e]Each Member
       will rotate Panel assignments. [Upon completion of a two (2) year cycle,
       each Member will have served with every other Member of the Board
       to the extent practical.] Each Panel shall contain at least one Member of
       the same judicial level as the inquiring Judicial Officer. Panel makeup shall
       be confidential and shall not be disclosed except to Board Members and
       Staff [of the JEAB]. [Individual Panel assignments shall rotate on a
       quarterly basis.]

       8.5.1 Philadelphia Municipal Court Essential Member

       For Requests originating from Judicial Officers of the Philadelphia
       Municipal Court, a Board member from the Municipal Court or any
       common pleas court shall be qualified to serve as an Essential
       Member of the Panel.
8.6    Identity Redaction
       The Judicial Officer’s Request shall be redacted by Staff so the identity of
       the Judicial Officer shall not be known to the Panel or Board. Only Staff will
       have access to the identity of the inquiring Judicial Officer. The identity of
       an inquiring Judicial Officer may be disclosed to the Chair when, in the
       Chair’s opinion, there is a clear and convincing need to know. At no time
       shall the Chair or [s]Staff intentionally disclose the identity of the inquiring
       Judicial Officer absent an explicit and express waiver by the inquiring
       Judicial Officer in writing, or the Chair believes disclosure is necessary for
       a clear and convincing reason.

[8.7   Panel Action

       The Essential Member of a Panel shall act as director of the Panel.
      8.7.1 Communication

             Communication among the Panel, and between the Panel and
             Staff, shall be through or as authorized by the Essential
             Member.]

8.[8]7 Advice
      A Panel determination shall be deemed achieved upon a two-thirds [(2/3)]
      or greater consensus of the Panel. Once a [consensus] determination is
      reached, the determination of the Panel shall constitute the Advice, and
      Staff shall communicate the Advice to the inquiring Judicial Officer in writing.
      8.8.1 All members of the Panel must respond before a Panel
            determination is reached.
      8.8.2 The Panel membership shall remain confidential to the Requesting
            Judicial Officer.

8.[9]8 Reconsideration of Advice

      After a Panel issues an Advice following a Request by a Judicial Officer, the
      Judicial Officer [shall have the ability to] may seek reconsideration of the
      Panel Advice.

      8.9.1 Timing

             A request for reconsideration of Panel Advice must be in writing and
             must be received by Staff within [fourteen (14)] five days of Service
             of the Panel Advice.

8.[10]9 Board Review
      After issuing Advice to the inquiring Judicial Officer, Staff shall circulate the
      Advice to the Board for review. Members shall respond in writing within
      twenty days of circulation by [addressing] sending any agreement,
      disagreement, or comment to Staff, and by sending a copy [thereof] of any
      substantive comment or disagreement to each Member of the Board. A
      Member who does not respond within the stated timeframe shall be
      presumed to agree with the Advice rendered. If there is no disagreement
      with the Advice, the Advice shall be deemed the Board Opinion, so long as
      no request for reconsideration is pending. A deemed Opinion shall be
      ratified by vote of the Board at the next meeting.

      If a majority of the Board ([five] seven or more Members) register
      disagreement with an Advice, Staff shall notify the inquiring Judicial Officer
      promptly, and the matter shall be timely scheduled for Board resolution.
      The Board shall reach a Board Decision as to the Advice as soon as
      possible.

8.1[1]0     Opinion Publication

      The Board may adopt, modify, or reverse any Advice. Once a Board
      Decision has been reached under Regulation 4.5.1, the Board Decision
      shall constitute the Opinion of the Board. Staff shall promptly serve the
      Opinion of the Board upon the inquiring Judicial Officer. Publication by the
      Board of any Opinion shall occur only after the period for Board
      Reconsideration has expired.

8.1[2]1     Dissenting Members

      Any Member of the Panel or Board shall retain the right to dissent from the
      majority decision of either a Panel or the Board. [A Member may, but is
      not required to, express an opposing view in writing. Any written
      dissent] Dissenting votes may be recorded and retained internally for
      future reference by the Board, but shall not be [part of] reflected on the
      issued Advice or Opinion. [A dissent shall not identify the Member-
      author by name.]

8.12. Reasoned Advice/Opinion

      8.12.1 The Panel Advice and Board Opinion shall be reasoned, in that
            they shall reference the relevant section(s) of the Codes, case
            law, and other authority consulted in reaching the conclusions
            contained therein and apply the same to the facts as set forth in
            the Request. The Board may also consider for their persuasive
            value publicly available advice or opinions from other state
            judicial ethics advisory bodies or courts on the subject of the
            Request.

      8.12.2 Nothing in the Rules or these Regulations shall prohibit either
            the Board, a Panel, an individual Member, or Staff from citing,
            referencing, or considering any previously issued opinion or
            findings of the Ethics Committees of the Pennsylvania
            Conference of State Trial Judges and/or the Special Court
            Judges Association of Pennsylvania as persuasive authority in
            reaching a decision on a Request or in offering General
            Guidance.

      8.12.3 The Panel Advice and/or Board Opinion shall set forth a
            conclusion as to whether facts regarding the intended conduct
            set forth in the Request give rise to a violation of any section(s)
                   of the Code(s). Where possible and appropriate, the Panel
                   Advice and/or the Board Opinion may provide a qualified
                   response with accompanying advice on how the Judicial Officer
                   may engage in the proposed conduct without violating the
                   Code(s).

      8.13   Reconsideration

             8.13.1 Under [Pa.R.J.E.A.B.] Rule 207 (Reconsideration), an inquiring
                   Judicial Officer may submit a written request for reconsideration
                   within twenty days of the Board’s Opinion adopting, modifying, or
                   reversing an Advice. The inquiring Judicial Officer shall present a
                   detailed explanation setting forth the reason(s) why the Board should
                   reconsider the Opinion.

             8.13.2 If the Board declines to issue an Opinion, the inquiring Judicial
                   Officer may seek reconsideration of the inaction within 20 days of
                   Service of notice of the Board’s inaction.

             8.13.3 A Request for reconsideration must be in writing and must be
                   received by Staff before 5:00 p.m. (EST) on the twentieth day
                   following Service of an Opinion or Notice of Inaction. The [twenty]
                   20-day period shall be calculated from the date of Service upon the
                   inquiring Judicial Officer and shall be so computed as to exclude the
                   first and include the last day of such period. Whenever the last day
                   of any such period shall fall on Saturday or Sunday, or on any day
                   made a legal holiday by the laws of the Commonwealth or of the
                   United States, such day shall be omitted from the computation.

             8.13.4 A request for reconsideration filed with the Board will delay the
                   publication of an Opinion but will not affect the Rule of Reliance
                   unless the Board grants reconsideration.

             8.13.5 If the Board grants reconsideration, the Board may take one or more
                   of the following actions:

                   (a)    Adopt the Advice as originally issued.
                   (b)    Modify the issued Opinion.
                   (c)    Withdraw the Opinion and take no further action; or
                   (d)    Other action as the Board deems appropriate.

9.0   Service of Decisions:
              When an inquiring Judicial Officer authorizes Service of Decisions through
              electronic means, Service shall be through email address confirmed by the
              inquiring Judicial Officer. Any electronic service of a decision through email
              shall be by pdf attachment [accessible only through a password].

              If the inquiring Judicial Officer does not authorize electronic service, Service
              of Decisions shall be by First Class Mail. Service occurs upon deposit of the
              item with the U.S. Mail (First Class)[; or the date of acceptance by the
              Judicial Officer or an authorized agent (Certified Mail, Return Receipt
              Requested); or the date of transmission if issued by email or fax].

              Staff shall serve an Opinion that reverses or modifies an Advice by Certified
              Mail, Return Receipt requested, in addition to any electronic Service.

10.0   Docketing/Numbering
       10.1   Request Number
              Regardless of format (paper correspondence, email, fax, etc.), [the JEAB]
              Staff will assign every written Request a sequential Request Number as
              required by [Pa.R.J.E.A.B] Rule 202 (Assignment to Panel;
              Composition of Panel). The Request Number will be formatted as the
              letter “R” [Request] followed by a sequential number and the two-digit
              calendar year (Rx-YY).
       10.2   Advice Number
              Once Staff determines that a Request will be assigned to a Panel, Staff will
              assign the file an Advice Number. The Advice Number will be formatted as
              the last two digits of the calendar year followed by a sequential number
              beginning with 101 (YY-1xx).
       10.3   Opinion Number
              Staff shall assign every Opinion of the Board [with] an Opinion Number.
              The Opinion Number will be formatted as a sequential number followed by
              JEAB and the four-digit calendar year (x-JEAB-YYYY).

11.0   General Ethics Guidance
       The Board, at its discretion, may issue general ethics advisory guidance (General
       Guidance) on topics of interest and concern to persons subject to the Codes. A
       subsequent Opinion of the Board regarding the same subject matter of General
       Guidance shall be deemed to supersede the prior General Guidance.

12.0   Exigent Circumstances
       Under [Pa.R.J.E.A.B.] Rule 201 (Standards and Timing for Requests), a
       Judicial Officer may submit a Request to the Board in writing at least 14
       days prior to the event or action giving rise to the question. The Chairperson
       may waive this requirement for good cause shown if exigent circumstances
       exist and a Panel can responsibly and meaningfully address the Request in
       the time available. In those instances, the following procedures shall apply:
       12.1   Exigent Intake
              An inquiring Judicial Officer may initiate a Request by contacting
              Staff by telephone at 717-705-1785, by email to JEAB@pacourts.us,
              or by the most expedient means available to the Judicial Officer. The
              Request should include all information required under these
              Regulations. If the Judicial Officer relays the information [verbally]
              orally, the Judicial Officer shall immediately commit the Request to
              writing directed to Staff. The inquiring Judicial Officer’s failure to
              reduce the Request to writing shall preclude the [JEAB] Board from
              issuing an Advice.
       12.2   Exigent Panel Assignment
              Upon receiving an exigent Request, Staff shall docket the Request,
              assign the Request a number as provided for under Section 10.0 of
              these Regulations, and forward the Request to a Panel for an
              Advisory Opinion.
       12.3   Exigent Advice
              Unless the Panel declines to issue an Advisory Opinion because it
              cannot responsibly and meaningfully provide an Advice (which
              decision shall be immediately communicated to the Judicial Officer),
              the Panel shall expeditiously proceed to render an Advice that shall
              be communicated by Staff to the Judicial Officer. Where the Panel
              Advice is initially communicated [verbally] orally, the Panel shall
              promptly commit the Advice to writing, and Staff shall promptly Serve
              the written Advice on the Judicial Officer.
       12.4   Exigent Board Consideration
              Once the Panel issues a written Advice, the Board shall then
              consider the Advice as provided for under Sections 8.10 through 8.13
              of these Regulations.

13.0   [Citation to Authority

       Nothing in either the Rules or these Regulations shall prohibit either the
       Board, a Panel, an individual Member, or Staff from citing, referencing, or
      considering any previously issued opinion or findings of the Ethics
      Committees of the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges (“PCSTJ”)
      and/or the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania (“SCJAP”) as
      persuasive authority in reaching a Board Decision as to an Advice, Opinion,
      or General Guidance.

14.0] Waiver
      The Chair may, in its discretion, waive any administrative provision of these
      Regulations when, in the Chair’s judgment, the proper interests of the Board and/or
      the interests of an inquiring Judicial Officer require such action by the Chair.
      Waiver of any confidentiality provision pertaining to a Judicial Officer shall not be
      allowed unless agreed to by the Judicial Officer.

1[5]4.0      Amendments
      These Regulations may be amended by a majority of the Board after giving at least
      [thirty (]30[)] days advance written notice of proposed changes to each Member.

      1[5]4.1 Court Approval

             Under [Pa.R.J.E.A.B.] Rule 104(d)(3), Regulations are subject to approval
             by the Supreme Court. Any amendment shall take effect immediately upon
             approval by the Supreme Court or as otherwise ordered by the Supreme
             Court.

      1[5]4.2 Pending Amendments

             Until the Court approves a proposed amendment, the Regulations as last
             adopted and approved shall remain in effect.