Court Opinion

ID: 9928155
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-01-30 21:10:06.241609+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:50:30.361931
License: Public Domain

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

IN RE:                                         : NO. 612
                                               :
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE                           : JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION DOCKET
AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS                     :
FOR JUDICIAL OFFICERS                          :
                                               :
                                               :

                                            ORDER

PER CURIAM

         AND NOW, this 30th day of January, 2024, IT IS ORDERED pursuant to Article V,
Section 10 of the Constitution of Pennsylvania that the prior order related to the filing of
statements of financial interest, electronic or otherwise, by judicial officers, is rescinded.
See Order of February 6, 2015, No. 442 Judicial Administration Docket No. 1.

         Furthermore, all judicial officers, as defined herein, shall file a statement of
financial interest in accordance with the following provisions on a form prescribed by the
Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (“AOPC”) and approved by this Court or
such amended form as may be issued in the future.

         1. Persons Required to File:
         For purposes of this Order, a judicial officer is defined as a justice of the Supreme
Court, a judge of the Superior or Commonwealth Court, a judge of the Court of Common
Pleas, a judge of the Municipal Court of Philadelphia, a magisterial district judge, and all
senior jurists who are active or eligible for recall to judicial services.
          2. Filing:
          All judicial officers shall file a statement of financial interest with the AOPC for the
prior calendar year no later than May 1 of each year.

          All judicial officers who are appointed to office shall file a statement of financial
interest within 60 days of assuming office.

          All judicial officers who leave their position shall file a statement of financial interest
within 60 days of their departure for any period of service not covered by a previously
filed statement. This requirement does not apply to judicial officers who are certified
senior jurists within that period of time.

          Such filing may be accomplished electronically through the use of a secure log-in
supplied by the AOPC. The submission of a statement through electronic means signifies
the user’s intent to sign the document. By submitting the statement electronically, the
individual certifies the electronic filing is true and correct. All statements of financial
interest submitted electronically through the secure log-in procedure shall be accepted
for filing by the AOPC.

          3. Failure to File; Falsification of Information:
          Upon failure of any judicial officer to file the required statement within the time
allowed, the AOPC shall give notice to such judicial officer that failure to comply with this
Order within 10 days may result in the suspension of the judicial officer from his or her
duties.

          Following receipt of this notice, if the judicial officer fails to file the statement within
the 10-day period, the AOPC shall immediately notify the Chief Justice of Pennsylvania
and the Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania of the delinquency in filing.
       The knowing and willful falsification of any information required to be reported
pursuant to this Order, or the knowing and willful failure to report information as required
by this Order, may result in the suspension of the judicial officer from his or her duties,
and shall constitute a charge of misconduct and result in referral of the case to the Judicial
Conduct Board for disposition. See In re Bruno, 627 Pa. 505, 101 A.3d 635 (2014)
(explaining the separate constitutional functions of the Judicial Conduct Board, Court of
Judicial Discipline and Pennsylvania Supreme Court).

       4. Public Access:
       All statements of financial interest filed pursuant to this Order shall be made
available for public inspection and copying during regular office hours.

       5. Retention:
       The AOPC shall preserve statements of financial interest for a period of 5 years
from the date of receipt.

       This ORDER shall be processed in accordance with Pa.R.J.A. No. 103(b), and
shall be effective immediately.