Samuel C. Stretton. Samuel C. Stretton.

A judge's demeanor is definitely emphasized when it comes to discipline.

In terms of judicial discipline, is there any area that is emphasized and where enforcement is heightened?

Of course, it is hard to tell what is going on in the world of judicial discipline since many complaints that are received are dismissed or resolved privately. Unless one is representing a judicial officer, oftentimes one doesn't know. Only a few cases each year go before the Court of Judicial Discipline and even fewer go to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

An area that appears currently to be particularly emphasized is that of judicial demeanor and judicial statements from the bench. Sometimes this is put in the context of retaliation when the judge is upset with a staff member.