PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE: … “So-called scandals like this can act as springboards to reform aspects of the system,” said Lynn Marks, executive director of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, a court watchdog group that advocates appointing rather than electing judges, among other justice system changes.
Gov. Tom Corbett will nominate someone to replace Melvin if she resigns, is impeached or is removed by a judge at sentencing or by the Court of Judicial Discipline, which has an active complaint. The House will begin impeachment if she doesn’t resign, according to a spokesman for Speaker Sam Smith, R-Punxsutawney.
[Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie] Melvin’s seat would be up for election in November 2015, so her appointed replacement would serve until January 2016… (more)
