In re Merlo

OPINION

Justice TODD.

In this appeal, we consider whether the Court of Judicial Discipline (“CJD”) erred in permanently removing Lehigh County Magisterial District Judge Maryesther S. Merlo (hereinafter “Appellant”) from judicial office. After careful consideration, we find the CJD’s sanction is lawful under the circumstances of this case. Accordingly, we affirm.

I. Background

In November 2003, Appellant, a licensed attorney, was elected as a magisterial district judge in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Appellant began serving her term in January 2004, and, at the conclusion of her first six-year term,…