PMC's 5th annual Judicial Independence Benefit will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2020 as a virtual event. National political correspondent Mara Liasson will be the event's keynote speaker.

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts will highlight some of Pennsylvania's Hispanic judges and their contributions to our courts. We hope that this series will stress the need for greater judicial diversity.

As confidence in so many of our government institutions and agencies is crumbling, Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts continues to believe that the judiciary can serve as the bulwark against despair in our democratic experiment. We remain ever committed to a Pennsylvania judicial system in which everyone who participates is assured impartiality, fairness, accessibility and respect. We recognize that there is important work to be done to make this version of the judicial system a reality and pledge to continue to work for an equitable justice system where everyone, regardless of race, can expect full protection under the law. To achieve our vision, we will continue to work tirelessly to educate all Pennsylvanians about how to navigate our courts with confidence, and we vigorously advocate for judicial reforms that promote the rule of law, access to justice, and an inclusive and highly qualified judiciary.

Amid the spread of COVID-19, PMC is postponing a number of upcoming programs and events, in order to protect the health and safety of everyone we serve. We have also provided a link to information about changes to court procedures in each county.

HB 196 would retain partisan elections at all levels and balkanize our state judiciary by creating a patchwork of small districts from which judges would be elected. It would sound the death knell of an independent judiciary in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania legislature is considering a bill that would undermine the state's supreme court.

By Patrick Berry, Brennan Center for Justice