The issuance of criminal charges against one of its justices has once again left the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania without its full complement of seven decision-makers. On May 18, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office filed a criminal complaint against Pennsylvania Justice Joan Orie Melvin. Later that same day, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued an order relieving Orie Melvin “of any and all judicial and administrative responsibilities as a justice” pending further order of court.
It is impossible to predict how long it will take before the criminal charges are resolved, but if the charges proceed to trial, it is reasonable to expect that the case could take up to a year before the process concludes. And if Orie Melvin is found guilty at trial, it is very likely that it would take far longer than a year from now for a replacement justice to take his or her seat on Pennsylvania’s highest court.
