Thread: PA: Judge targeted for advocacy on immigration

Judge targeted for advocacy on immigration

By Amy Worden

Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau

HARRISBURG - A state Superior Court judge, who has been outspoken on the issue of illegal immigration, should be reprimanded and ordered to refrain from similar conduct in the future, according to a complaint filed with the state Judicial Conduct Board.

The complaint alleges that Judge Correale Stevens - who on Tuesday won a retention election for a second 10-year term - violated the code of judicial conduct by advocating changes in immigration law at a statehouse rally and at other public events during the last year.

Philadelphia attorney Robert Nix confirmed that he had filed the complaint last month, but said that confidentiality rules prohibited him from sharing any details.

The document has been obtained by The Inquirer through a person other than Nix. It alleges that Stevens "deliberately insinuated himself into the very middle of a high profile, emotionally charged and highly divisive political debate on the issue of immigration reform."

The document further alleges that Stevens' actions, which included making public comments to reporters, speaking at a fund-raiser and publicly supporting state and local legislation aimed at illegal immigration, have undermined the impartiality of the court and damaged the court's credibility.

The 12-member Judicial Conduct Board may file formal charges against an accused judge with the Court of Judicial Discipline after determining there is "clear and convincing evidence" of judicial misconduct. The court, after a hearing, may take disciplinary action such as a reprimand, suspension or permanent removal from the bench.Stevens declined to comment Monday, saying he had not been served with a copy of the complaint. He did not return several calls seeking comment yesterday.

In an interview in September after the Capitol rally, Stevens defended his appearance with Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta and state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R., Butler), regarded as among Pennsylvania's most vocal supporters of local and state laws to combat illegal immigration.

Stevens said that simply being at the September rally did not amount to an endorsement of what was said.

Barletta, who won reelection handily yesterday, pushed through a local law that targeted illegal immigrants, but it was overturned by a federal judge in July and is now on appeal.

Stevens, whose court office is in Hazleton, said in September that his remarks at the rally were confined to administration-of-justice issues.

Some good-government advocates said they believed it was inappropriate for a sitting judge to appear at such a partisan rally because it could raise questions of bias in the courtroom.

"His appearance at that questionable rally leads to the point that he should recuse himself on immigration issues in the future," said Gene Stilp, director of Harrisburg-based Taxpayers and Ratepayers United, a political action committee focusing on legislative reform.

Both the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Morning Call of Allentown urged voters to "vote no" on Stevens because of his advocacy on the immigration issue. But Stevens said during his campaign that the issue resonated with voters across the state. In the end, voters agreed. With 97 percent of the vote counted, more than 1 million supported Stevens compared with fewer than 600,000 who did not.


Contact staff writer Amy Worden at 717-783-2584 or aworden@phillynews.com.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20 ... ation.html

Good Grief! Correale Stevens is one of the few voices we have in public office in PA. Looks like the opposition will do ANYTHING to silence us. I voted NO on retention for every single judge, excpet Mr. Stevens. He gopt a big, fat, bright YES!!!!

Thank you Judge Stevens for having the fortitude to speak out on this issue. He was resoundingly brought back. Again, it shows you what the people want.