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Convicted former justice Orie Melvin sentenced to house arrest, apology notes

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The Judicial Update

May 8, 2013

On May 7, 2013, Judge Lester G. Nauhaus, of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, sentenced former justice Joan Orie Melvin, who resigned from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court after she was convicted of six counts of corruption earlier this year.

Nauhaus ordered Orie Melvin to be put on house arrest for three years, followed by two years of probation. She was given three days a week outside of the house to serve at a soup kitchen and she will also be permitted to attend church. The judge also ordered her to send a note of apology, written on a photograph of herself in handcuffs, to every judge in the state (over 500). Apology letters to her staff and family members were also required. In addition, she will have to pay $55,000 in fines and court costs.[1][2]

Judge Nauhaus reprimanded Orie Melvin, saying,

“ You brought shame to the judiciary. There are 500 members of the judiciary who have been tarnished by your behavior.[1][3] ”

Regarding the decision to put her on house arrest, he explained,

“ I have always believed prison is for dangerous people. I also believe putting you in prison is going to cost the taxpayers a fortune.[1][3] ”

UPDATE: In October of 2013, Orie Melvin attempted to get Judge Nauhaus to change his sentence, claiming that being forced to write letters of apology violates her right against self-incrimination. In response, Nauhaus attempted to schedule a probation violation hearing, but was blocked by an emergency stay from the Pennsylvania Superior Court.[4]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Orie Melvin, sister guilty of corruption, put on house arrest," May 7, 2013
  2. ↑ CBS Pittsburgh, "Orie Melvin Sentenced To 3 Years House Arrest," May 7, 2013
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  4. ↑ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "DA suggests Orie Melvin get jail in lieu of apology," October 8, 2013

Pennsylvania courts

Federal courts:

Third Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania

State courts:

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania • Pennsylvania Superior Court • Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court • Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas • Pennsylvania Magisterial Districts

State resources:

Courts in Pennsylvania • Pennsylvania judicial elections • Judicial selection in Pennsylvania

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