Current:Home > MyPhiladelphia judge receives unpaid suspension for his political posts on Facebook-LoTradeCoin
Philadelphia judge receives unpaid suspension for his political posts on Facebook
View Date:2024-12-24 00:29:34
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Philadelphia family court judge has been suspended without pay for the last three months of his time on the bench after the Court of Judicial Discipline determined his politically charged social media posts violated jurists’ behavioral standards.
The court on Monday imposed the punishment against Common Pleas Judge Mark B. Cohen, who before he became a judge spent more than four decades as a Democratic state representative.
The opinion and order faulted Cohen’s “actions in repeatedly posting items on the internet reflecting his political views even after being warned not to do so.”
Cohen’s lawyer, Sam Stretton, said Tuesday that he plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court. He described Cohen as a compulsive reader and very knowledgeable person, and that his blog posts about public issues were revised to end endorsements of candidates after he became a judge more than six years ago.
“I think it’s important for judges to be able to speak out in a reserved way as long as they don’t talk about cases in their courthouse, things of that nature,” Stretton said.
In an opinion issued in May, the court listed dozens of Cohen’s Facebook posts, including posts that said President Joe Biden “has proven to be an excellent president,” expressed support for Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner’s tactics in an impeachment proceeding, and issued a “plea for more domestic spending and less military spending.”
“Judge Cohen sits as a representative of all judges in Pennsylvania and has a duty to refrain from causing members of the public to question whether judges generally act on such strident beliefs as he expresses,” the court wrote in May.
Cohen is 75 years old, the age limit for judges, so Stretton said his time as a judge will end when his suspension does on Dec. 31.
veryGood! (69492)
Related
- Stressing over Election Day? Try these apps and tools to calm your nerves
- One killed after shooting outside Newport Beach mall leading to high speed chase: Reports
- US deports 116 Chinese migrants in first ‘large’ flight in 5 years
- Robert Towne, Oscar-winning writer of ‘Chinatown,’ dies at 89
- My Chemical Romance will perform 'The Black Parade' in full during 2025 tour: See dates
- Utah State to fire football coach Blake Anderson following Title IX investigation
- Where Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky Stand One Year After Their Breakup
- Abortion-rights advocates set to turn in around 800,000 signatures for Arizona ballot measure
- KFC sues Church's Chicken over 'original recipe' fried chicken branding
- Shohei Ohtani won't take part in All-Star Home Run Derby
Ranking
- We Can Tell You How to Get to Sesame Street—and Even More Secrets About the Beloved Show
- Two 13-year-olds killed, 12-year-old injured in Atlanta shooting
- Palestinians ordered to flee Khan Younis, signaling likely new Israeli assault on southern Gaza city
- When does 'The Bachelorette' start? Who is the new 'Bachelorette'? Season 21 cast, premiere date, more
- The Latin Grammys are almost here for a 25th anniversary celebration
- Biden to meet with Democratic governors as White House works to shore up support
- Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese headline WNBA All-Star team that will face US Olympic squad
- Wisconsin Supreme Court to consider whether 175-year-old law bans abortion
Recommendation
-
Japan to resume V-22 flights after inquiry finds pilot error caused accident
-
Meet the diehard tennis fans camped out in Wimbledon's epic queue
-
Ann Wilson announces cancer diagnosis, postpones Heart tour
-
Meet the diehard tennis fans camped out in Wimbledon's epic queue
-
In an AP interview, the next Los Angeles DA says he’ll go after low-level nonviolent crimes
-
Northern California wildfire spreads, with more hot weather expected. Thousands evacuate
-
Big wins for Trump and sharp blows to regulations mark momentous Supreme Court term
-
Bond increased to $1M for Texas woman accused in attempted drowning seen as possible hate crime