The state Supreme Court will hear arguments May 9 in the case of Dawn Segal, a disqualified judge who says she was unfairly removed from the bench.
Segal, an open lesbian, served as a municipal-court judge in Philadelphia for about six years. But in December, the Court of Judicial Discipline permanently removed her from the bench.
In its ruling, the court cited inappropriate conversations Segal had with then-Municipal Court Judge Joseph C. Waters Jr., in 2011-12. Segal HAD discussed cases pending before her in which Waters had an interest.
The FBI wiretapped the conversations as part of a larger investigation of judicial corruption in Philadelphia.
Segal acknowledged improperly discussing the cases with Waters, but denies altering any of her rulings to satisfy him.
Segal wants the state Supreme Court to reinstate her. Oral arguments will be limited to the question of whether Segal was held to stricter standards than other problematic judges when she was removed from the bench.
The high court also ruled that voters cannot select a replacement for Segal during the May primary in Philadelphia.
In her appeal, Segal asserts she’s being unfairly blamed for Waters’ corruption. Waters was convicted of fraud and spent almost two years in federal prison. He was released Nov. 25, according to prison records. Segal isn’t accused of any criminal wrongdoing.
Segal also contends that Pennsylvania judges involved in more serious wrongdoing were given reprimands or temporary suspensions.
Moreover, Segal claims the court deprived her of her right to be presumed innocent.
“The presumption of innocence is a core value to be accorded to all of those accused of wrongdoing. That presumption should not be cast aside or ignored merely because the accused wears a judicial robe,” Segal states in her appeal.
The Court of Judicial Discipline’s handling of Segal’s case was such a miscarriage of justice, it conducted a trial “in name only,” according to her appeal.
Oral-argument proceedings are scheduled to begin 9:30 a.m. May 9 in the Main Capitol Building in Harrisburg, second floor, Supreme Court hearing room. The public is permitted to attend.
On May 12, Pennsylvania Cable Network will broadcast the proceedings on most cable providers throughout the state, beginning 7 p.m.