Samuel C Stretton

June 16, 2016 | The Legal Intelligencer

I am in the middle of a trial in a criminal case, and the district attorney who is prosecuting the case has been extremely unfriendly and discourteous. There are constant suggestions I am acting unethically. What are my ethical duties?

By Samuel C. Stretton

19 minute read

June 09, 2016 | The Legal Intelligencer

I am a judicial officer. I don't particularly like wearing the judicial robe. When should I wear the robe, and when can I not wear the judicial robe?

By BY Samuel C. Stretton

15 minute read

June 04, 2016 | The Legal Intelligencer

I am a district judge. A lawyer who appears frequently in my courtroom has received several parking tickets and has failed to pay them. They are now about to go to a warrant. Is it improper for me to call the lawyer and ask him to come in and pay the tickets?

By Samuel C. Stretton

12 minute read

May 31, 2016 | The Legal Intelligencer

The answer is yes. The rule about commenting on trials or trial publicity is found at Rule of Professional Conduct 3.6. That rule appears to be limited to lawyers who are involved. Under Rule of Professional Conduct 3.6(a), the following is noted: "A lawyer who is participating or who has participated in the investigation or litigation of a matter shall not make an extrajudicial statement that the lawyer knows or reasonably should know will be disseminated by means of public communication and will have a substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing an adjudicative proceeding in the matter."

By Samuel C. Stretton

6 minute read

May 13, 2016 | The Legal Intelligencer

I read your article the other week about a common pleas judge receiving a $25,000 campaign contribution in their race and your suggestion that all parties should be notified if the litigant or their attorney was the person who made the contribution. Some other people involved in the world of ethics tell me they disagree with your suggestion. Who is right?

By Samuel C. Stretton

18 minute read

May 06, 2016 | The Legal Intelligencer

I am a young lawyer who emphasizes criminal law. All the older lawyers tell me I should put the word "nonrefundable" in my fee agreement. Do you recommend that?

By Samuel C. Stretton

11 minute read

April 30, 2016 | The Legal Intelligencer

I am a criminal defendant who filed a pro se post-conviction hearing petition. The Court of Common Pleas has promised to appoint me a lawyer, but it's been months and there's no lawyer appointed. What is happening?

By Samuel C. Stretton

14 minute read

April 24, 2016 | The Legal Intelligencer

I am in a county in Pennsylvania and I do domestic law and I noticed a new judge who seems to favor a particular lawyer. Recently, I checked the judge's campaign reports and found that lawyer donated approximately $25,000 to the judge's campaign. Should the judge be hearing that lawyer's cases?

By Samuel C. Stretton

23 minute read

April 16, 2016 | The Legal Intelligencer

I am a former judge who is going back into private practice. I still want to use my judicial title. Are there any major concerns?

By Samuel C. Stretton

15 minute read

April 08, 2016 | The Legal Intelligencer

What is the fallout from former Justice J. Michael Eakin's disciplinary decision in the world of judicial discipline?

By Samuel C. Stretton

23 minute read