Daniel John Konieczka Jr.

Judicial Ethics Alert It’s important to know that Magisterial District Judges in Pennsylvania are prohibited from practicing law while serving on the bench. This rule ensures that judges remain impartial and fully dedicated to their judicial duties. Here are some of the key guidelines: 1. Pennsylv...ania Code of Judicial Conduct Canon 3: Judges must avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all of their activities. Canon 4 and Rule 4.1(A)(8): Judges are not permitted to practice law. This applies to all judicial officers, including Magisterial District Judges. Practicing law while holding a judicial office would present a direct conflict of interest and compromise judicial impartiality. 2. Pennsylvania Rules of Judicial Administration Rule 15-206 (Magisterial District Judges): This rule specifically restricts Magisterial District Judges from practicing law or having any employment that could conflict with their judicial duties. This rule is designed to ensure that judicial officers dedicate their time and efforts solely to their judicial responsibilities. 3. Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board (JCB) Enforcement The JCB enforces compliance with judicial ethics and can investigate complaints about judges who violate these rules. If a Magisterial District Judge were found practicing law, they would be subject to disciplinary action, which could include suspension, fines, or removal from office. 4. State Constitution and Statutory Law Under Article V, Section 17 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, judges, including Magisterial District Judges, are restricted from holding other offices or positions that could interfere with their judicial duties. 42 Pa.C.S. § 3304: Prohibits judges from engaging in the practice of law or from conducting activities that could lead to conflicts with judicial duties. In summary, Pennsylvania law is explicit that magistrates or Magisterial District Judges cannot practice law concurrently with their judicial duties. If there is evidence of a magistrate engaging in both roles, it could be grounds for filing a complaint with the Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania, leading to potential disciplinary measures.

I hired Daniel for a DUI case. I paid him 1500 to cover me until the prelimary hearing. He went to the hearing- didn't ask the cop to drop any charges. He said we would do that "downtown" and then he proceeded to charge me 1500 dollars to finish the case. What??? He did nothing. I hired another lawye...r because I wasn't going to give him another cent and he said charges are harder to drop through the DA downtown. I ended up with most of my charges. If you hire him- be prepared to pay him twice and fight the cops yourself at the prelim Becuase the DA isn't going to want to hear it downtown.