Judicial News

Pennsylvania Judge Rules Judicial Candidates Can Discuss Abortion Issues
Harrisburg, PA (LifeNews.com) -- Oct. 29, 2007 - U.S. District Court Judge Marvin Katz last week ruled that judicial candidates in Pennsylvania can discuss their views on political issues, including abortion. They can do so as long as they do not promise to rule in a particular way if elected. Katz last week also lifted an order issued in May that temporarily halted enforcement of a rule in the state's Code of Judicial Conduct that prevents candidates from publicly disclosing their views on political issues. The Pennsylvania Family Institute and six judicial candidates from Lancaster County in May filed a federal lawsuit that claims a lack of clarity in the rule. The lawsuit targets a provision of the judicial code that bars candidates from pledging anything more than "the faithful and impartial performance of the duties of office" and from making statements that "commit or appear to commit the candidate with respect to cases, controversies or issues that are likely to come before the court." PFI mailed a questionnaire to 120 candidates for state and county judgeships in the May 15 primary, seeking their views on abortion and other issues. Nineteen candidates responded, and many of the candidates who responded declined to answer some questions, citing their concerns about ethics rules violations.