Opinion
No. 13 JD 15
12-15-2015
IN RE: J. Michael Eakin Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
DECORUM ORDER GOVERNING THE HEARING OF DECEMBER 21 , 2015
AND NOW, this 15th day of December, 2015, the following Order is entered.
The terms of this order apply to the conduct of the Hearing scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. on December 21, 2015 in Courtroom 10 at the Northampton County Courthouse.
The provisions noted as "Mandatory" shall be applied by the Courts of this Commonwealth and enforced accordingly by its officers and agents. The provisions noted as "Informational" are intended to provide meaningful structure and guidance to those attending the preliminary hearing.
MANDATORY
1. Reporters and members of the news media will be admitted to Courtroom 10 at 10:30 a.m. No one will be admitted to Courtroom 10 after 10:45 a.m., except as otherwise authorized by the Sheriff.
2. No one will be permitted to take food or beverages into Courtroom 10.
3. Everyone must be seated before the hearing begins. Those seated in Courtroom 10 are expected to remain in their seats until the court either calls a recess or until the session has ended.
4. No person, except those immediately involved in the proceedings, will be permitted beyond the bar of Courtroom 10 at any time.
5. No one except the parties or their representatives have standing to address the court or speak during the time that Court is in session. Should anyone violate this Order, they will immediately be removed from the Courtroom without further notice.
6. Reporters will be permitted to use laptops in Courtroom 10, but solely for the purpose of note taking.
7. No photography, videography or recording device of any type may be used anywhere in the Courtroom.
8. Those persons attending may carry cell phones or similar devices into the Courtrooms; however, any such device must be turned off (not merely set to vibrate mode) and out of sight at all times. Transmission from or recording by those devices is prohibited. Use of the internet or telephone service for transmitting in any way from Courtroom 10 is prohibited. No electronic transmission, video recording, sound recording, or any other electronic duplication of the proceedings of any type is permitted in Courtroom 10.
9. No news media interviews whatsoever shall be conducted in Courtroom 10 or the immediate vicinity of Courtroom 10.
10. Any person who violates the provisions of this order regarding the use of electronic devices will be subject to me penalties for contempt of court (including fines or summary incarceration) under any applicable statute, order, or rule of court.
11. The Sheriff of Northampton County, in consultation with the Court, shall have the authority to make such reasonable rules and regulations as may be required to provide adequate security intended to assure the safety of all those in the Courthouse and on the Courthouse grounds and the orderly conduct of the hearing.
INFORMATIONAL
12. Parking is available near the Courthouse. Those persons attending the hearing should allow ample time to find parking and make their way to the Courthouse.
13. All media inquiries should be directed to Cathy Kane, Court Administrator, Court of Judicial Discipline.
cathy.kane@pacourts.us
Office: (717) 772-3771
BY THE COURT,
/s/_________
Jack A. Panella
Conference Judge