Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 25, June 22, 2024
Rule 4.1 - Political and Campaign Activities of Judges and Judicial Candidates in General(A) Except as permitted by Rules 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4, a magisterial district judge or a judicial candidate shall not:(1) act as a leader in, or hold an office in, a political organization;(2) make speeches on behalf of a political organization or a candidate for any public office;(3) publicly endorse or publicly oppose a candidate for any public office;(4) solicit funds for, pay an assessment to, or make a contribution to a political organization or a candidate for public office;(5) attend or purchase tickets for dinners or other events sponsored by a political organization or a candidate for public office;(6) use or permit the use of campaign contributions for the private benefit of the magisterial district judge or others;(7) personally solicit or accept campaign contributions other than through a campaign committee authorized by Rule 4.4;(8) use court staff, facilities, or other court resources in a campaign for judicial office;(9) knowingly or with reckless disregard for the truth make any false or misleading statement;(10) make any statement that would reasonably be expected to affect the outcome or impair the fairness of a matter pending in any court;(11) engage in any political activity on behalf of a political organization or candidate for public office except on behalf of measures to improve the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice; or(12) in connection with cases, controversies or issues that are likely to come before the court, make pledges, promises, or commitments that are inconsistent with the impartial performance of the adjudicative duties of judicial office.(B) A magisterial district judge or judicial candidate shall take reasonable measures to ensure that other persons do not undertake, on behalf of the magisterial district judge or judicial candidate, any activities prohibited under paragraph (A).The provisions of this Rule 4.1 amended October 31, 2014, effective immediately, 44 Pa.B. 7168.