Opinion
J-49B-2017 No. 1 EAP 2017
11-22-2017
IN RE: DAWN A. SEGAL MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT PHILADELPHIA COUNTY APPEAL OF: DAWN A. SEGAL
[MO: Saylor, C.J.] Appeal from the Order dated December 16, 2016 of the Court of Judicial Discipline at No. 3 JD 2015 DISSENTING OPINION JUSTICE DONOHUE
For the reasons set forth in my Dissenting Opinion in In re: Angeles Roca, 42 EAP 2016, I respectfully dissent. Although Judge Segal's misconduct differed materially from that of Judge Roca, the Court of Judicial Discipline ("CJD") imposed the same sanction (permanent removal from judicial office) while employing substantially identical language in its two written opinions and made no attempt to adhere to the doctrine of stare decisis. As a result, in my view, the sanction imposed by the CJD removing Judge Segal was not lawful pursuant to Article V, Section 18(c)(2) of the Pennsylvania Constitution. Thus, I would vacate the order imposing sanctions and remand for the preparation of an opinion in which the CJD adheres to the doctrine of stare decisis in imposing a sanction in this matter.