Section 602. Continuing education requirement

(a) Every magisterial district judge shall complete a continuing education program each year equivalent to not less than 32 hours per year in such courses or programs as are approved by the Minor Judiciary Education Board. If a magisterial district judge fails to meet these continuing education requirements, the judge shall be subject to suspension by the Supreme Court until such time as evidence of compliance with such requirements is submitted by the Board, but in no event longer than six months at which time the failure to meet the continuing education requirements shall be grounds for the Supreme Court, after a hearing, to declare a vacancy in that district.

(b) The Minor Judiciary Education Board shall conduct at least one continuing education practicum course, consisting of not less than thirty-two hours, which each magisterial district judge, or senior magisterial district judge, whether law trained or non-law trained, within twelve months of first assuming office, shall be required to attend. The Board shall approve the length of the program and the course of instruction. Practicum exercises will be a part of the course of instruction. Senior magisterial district judges may petition the Board for a waiver of this requirement.

(c) No judge who is suspended by Order of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania or the Court of Judicial Discipline shall be permitted to attend any continuing education course or program approved by the Minor Judiciary Education Board during the term of suspension. Notwithstanding the attendance requirements set forth in paragraph (a), the judge shall be provided the opportunity to make up any required hours of continuing education once the period of suspension has expired and an Order has been issued returning the judge to active status.

(d) Paragraph (c) shall not apply to any judge suspended for failure to complete the program described in paragraph (a).

Official Note

The text of this rule is taken, in part, from Rule 20 of the Rules Governing Standards of Conduct of Magisterial District Judges, rescinded March 26, 2015, effective immediately.