Neighborhood Networks Goes To Work On Electing Democrats for Pa. Supreme Court Judges

On November 3rd we'll be electing three members of the PA Supreme Court, almost half the Court. That means after the election the Court could wind up split anywhere from 5-2 Democratic to 5-2 Republican.

If the Court is controlled by Republicans, we'll probably lose a wide range of cases involving:

• full funding for public schools 
• gerrymandering 
• fracking 
• prisoner rights 
• the right of Philadelphia to enact a minimum wage 
• regulate guns

And whether Democrats win these races will depend almost entirely on turnout in Philly because that's where the Democratic voters are.  Yet, most people in Philly don't know this election is even taking place. (Neighborhood Network)

Not often that we get three open seats in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. I've been calling people to get them involved with this very important election. Most are on board but some did not know about the election or who is running. Important for us to get this election information out to as many registered voters as possible, for we must win!! If you or someone you know needs to register to vote you can now do so online at:
http://www.votespa.com/portal/server.pt?mode=2&objID=1174117&open=514&parentid=1&parentname=ObjMgr

10/ 5/2015	Last day to REGISTER before the November election
10/27/2015	Last day to apply for a civilian absentee ballot
10/30/2015	Last day for County Boards of Elections to receive voted civilian absentee ballots
11/ 3/2015	MUNICIPAL ELECTION

www.philadelphiavotes.com/en/voters/important-dates

Donohue's campaign website listed the following themes for the 2015 election:
“ 
Throughout her career, Judge Donohue has had the opportunity to litigate or preside over landmark cases protecting the rights of injured persons, holding corporations accountable for fraudulent behavior, eliminating bias against LGBT parents in custody matters and more. She has been an adjunct professor at Duquesne University and lectured before legal, professional and student audiences. She has served on or led every ethics enforcement body and tribunal established in Pennsylvania to ensure attorneys and judges comply with the highest standards of conduct. Judge Donohue, who represented individuals, corporations and business people throughout her career as an attorney, earned the title of Pennsylvania Super Lawyer and is listed in Best Lawyers in America. [3]
”
—Donohue for Justice, (2015)[4] http://ballotpedia.org/Pennsylvania_Supreme_Court_elections,_2015

As a judge, Dougherty has always made fair access to a fair process one of his top priorities, and has made sure that everyone who comes before him has competent legal representation. Whenever possible, he emphasized treatment and rehabilitation for at-risk youth, rather than placement; however, he never hesitated to send a violent juvenile away for proper treatment and educational services whenever circumstances warranted. When Philadelphia was besieged by “flash mobs” of violent youth attacking random citizens, Judge Dougherty made examples of the leaders by placing them in juvenile detention facilities. These swift and decisive actions were credited with helping to stop the “flash mobs” and restore a sense of safety on the streets. His tough but fair approach has turned countless troubled lives around and significantly improved a justice system that many long considered to be dysfunctional. [3]
”
—Kevin Dougherty for Pennsylvania, (2015)[4] http://ballotpedia.org/Pennsylvania_Supreme_Court_elections,_2015

David Wecht

Campaign themes
“ 
1. Absolute ban on all gifts to judges
The opportunity to serve as a judge is a solemn responsibility and a public trust. It should not include an opportunity to reap profit from others through the receipt of gifts. The exchange of favors has no place in the judicial process. Gifts to judges, be they golf junkets or trinkets, should be banned completely.
2. Tightened Anti-Nepotism Policy; Sunset Employment of Judges’ Relatives
Pennsylvania’s Code of Judicial Conduct was finally revised in 2014 to ban longstanding and shameful practices of nepotism. However, while the Code bans judges from hiring their relatives in the future, it says (and does) nothing about the fact that many judges already have their relatives on the public payroll, and that this nepotism continues unchecked. This has to stop. Our Supreme Court should impose a reasonable sunset period (perhaps five years) to allow judges’ family members to find other work -- work outside the chambers and courtrooms of their judicial kin.
3. Require judges to rule on the record or in writing on all motions for recusal
Pennsylvania’s Code of Judicial Conduct calls for judges to recuse themselves in circumstances where their impartiality can reasonably be questioned. The Code should be revised to require judges whose recusal is sought to state on the record their reasons for granting or denying the motion, so all circumstances can be viewed in the light of day, both by the reviewing court and by the public as a whole.
4. Mandated ethics courses for all judicial candidates
We entrust our judges with tremendous power over the lives of others. Recent events have shown that those to whom this power is granted can go seriously astray. Before further abuses occur, it is critical that all who seek judicial office be required to complete a course in judicial ethics. It is not too much to ask judicial candidates to acquire a basic familiarity with best practices in the essential area of proper conduct.
5. Television broadcast of court proceedings
Citizens have an interest, and indeed a right, in knowing what transpires in the courtrooms that they pay for and where justice is done in their name. All proceedings in every Pennsylvania court are presumptively open, and this openness mandated by our Constitution should include television access so that the openness is real. All Pennsylvanians should have the opportunity to view proceedings wherever they may be. Technology allows for such broadcasting to be performed unobtrusively and without distraction. Judges should be afforded the discretion to close proceedings to television in appropriate circumstances, such as cases involving child abuse, certain sexual offenses, matters requiring a measure of confidentiality, and other special situations. [3]
”

—Wecht 2015, (2015)[4] http://ballotpedia.org/Pennsylvania_Supreme_Court_elections,_2015

Please get involved, we are in need of volunteers starting 9/30 till the election, we'll be having Phone banks every Wed night 6:30-8:30 pm, and Phone Banks/Door Canvass every Saturday & Sunday 1-4 pm. Which of these can you make?

9/30- Wed

10/3- Sat

10/4- Sun

10/7- Wed

10/10- Sat

10/11- Sun

10/14- Wed

10/17- Sat

10/18- Sun

10/21- Wed

10/24- Sat

10/25- Sun

10/28- Wed

10/31- Sat

11/1- Sun

11/3- Election Day, work at the polls

For more information please contact Mr. Stan Shapiro shapsj@comcast.net