PMC is a fantastic organization that advocates for the most important issues that you probably haven't considered. State courts play a pivotal role in everyone's daily lives, and PMC is working tirelessly to make those courts better. The staff is dedicated to the mission. Nothing speaks more highly of this organization than the retention rate of volunteers. Once you walk through the doors at PMC, you are a member of the family...for life!
Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts is a fantastic organization and I am lucky to be a part of it. Their single minded focus on issues of access to justice and fair courts has made a real impact in Pennsylvania.
PMC provides the public with important and current updates on the PA court system. My experiences with PMC have taught me so much about the PA judicial system and what it takes to succeed as a non profit. Its mission, fair and impartial courts, is a goal that all should strive to achieve.
PMC provides citizens with important information that they can use to become more informed about the justice system in Pennsylvania.
PMC has been the best, most outspoken voice on the crucial issues of Judicial independence, and non-partisan selection of judges. Their staff is intelligent and persistent in achieving their goal.
I have a lot of respect for PMC’s tireless work on reforming the judicial selection process in Pennsylvania. PMC has an exceptionally dedicated staff, and they work very hard to ensure that not partisan politics but candidate’s qualifications guide who is entrusted with serving on the bench. One can especially appreciate how important PMC’s advocacy of merit selection is in light of a recent Supreme Court decision in Caperton v. Massey that stressed that judicial election campaign contributions can create appearance of partiality – “a serious risk of actual bias.” PMC’s work on improving the judicial discipline system, on eliminating bias from the court system, on educating the public about using Pennsylvania courts, and on the jury system is equally important.
PMC is a great tool for people to understand and effectively use Pennsylvania's courts. In addition, they are a great watchdog for the state and are extremely effective at disseminating and keeping the public informed about court justice.
PMC offers accessible, timely information about the state of judicial elections in Pennsylvania, as well as workable solutions to address its flaws. I particularly recommend its website and knowledgeable staff as resources for questions about reforming judicial elections and improving jury participation.
Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts may be primarily known for it advocacy for merit selection of judges. Lesser is known for its many other important activities, such as:
1. Participation in continuing legal education programs related to judicial independence and ethics
2. Involvement in a challenge to federal campaign finance laws
3. Efforts to improve the jury system, increase the number and diversity of citizens reporting for jury duty, and enhance the juror experience.
4. Advocacy for a new Family Court facility in Philadelphia.
The the above are only some of PMC's activities to increase public faith in our judicial system.
Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts advocates for the integrity of our judicial system and increases public awareness of this important issue. They do it in a way that helps the public understand the complexity of such a critical issue -- as well as the results of a non-merit based selection system. I echo the sentiments of prior-commenter Dave -- the Luzerne County court scandal sheds light on the need for system for reform. PMC is leading the charge.
Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts cares about the integrity of our justice system. They advocate on behalf of all Pa citizens in working to keeep our judiciary fair and balanced. It's abuot understanding and embracing the judicial branch of government for fairness and equality for all.
It is important for the public to be properly educated on this subject. Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts provides a balanced, well thought out position for those of us who need to be kept informed on this matter.
PMC is educating the public on the ramifications of an elected judiciary and is effectively promoting a solution where the public has a voice but the objectivity of judges is not called into question. Between their insightful posts on their blog, their position papers and their involvement in the community, the leadership of PMC is educating all of us on what are the consequences of electing judges and what are the possibilities for a fair and impartial judiciary.
I'm a former co-op student, intern, and public interest fellow with Pennsylvanians For Modern Courts, and I recently accepted a position with a national judicial policy group. With a small staff and limited resources, PMC educates and informs the public on a number of important issues about judges, judicial selection, and the court system. They do great work on topics that are important to the Pennsylvania judiciary, and the staff is extremely dedicated to their work.
I had worked for PMC for years and have always respected the organization for its hard work, determination, and social justice focus. PMC is so passionate about the judicial causes it champions, which is amazing. I know the staff and organization work so hard to make the judicial system better, and they do make it better. I am proud to have worked for PMC and to still know the organization and its staff. They do so much for Pennsylvania and stay so well informed, educated, and positive in bettering the judicial process/system.
The staff at PMC are Pennsylvania's foremost advocates for court reform. They are so passionate about what they do, and as Sarah H. mentioned, they accomplish so much with so little. Judicial reform is, unfortunately, a pretty unglamorous issue to most citizens around the state, which is sad considering what a huge impact the court has on our daily lives. PMC works hard every day to bring this issue to life for the average Pennsylvanian.
Given the recent judicial scandal in Luzerne County, it's vital that we in Pennsylvania work to reform our courts and PMC has been a voice for change. PMC advocates for merit selection, making courts more accountable, improving access to the court and a host of other court-related issues. They do important work and we can only hope that those in Harrisburg take heed of what PMC is saying.
PMC consistently amazes me because they are able to do so much with so little. Resources are limited and the staff is small. Yet their results are impressive. They look at all issues related to court reform: from judicial selection based on merit to improving our jury system to addressing bias in the courts to judicial discipline concerns.