Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor Jen Coatsworth released the following statement in support of HB1700, which would amend Pennsylvania’s public safety official endangerment criminal statute to expand protections for active, retired and senior judges who preside or reside in the Commonwealth.

“At a time when threats against the judiciary are on an alarming rise – including a triple-digit increase in threats against federal judges and prosecutors in 2023, according to the U.S. Marshals Service – the passage of HB1700 sends an important message that such actions will not be tolerated in Pennsylvania,” Coatsworth said.

“The legislation would expand our Commonwealth’s public safety official endangerment criminal statute to include current or former federal judges who preside or reside in the state, expanding protections for judges and family members who may be put in harm’s way through the reckless or malicious spread of their restricted personal information,” Coatsworth said. “This legislation is consistent with the Philadelphia Bar Association’s long-standing policies supporting the safety and security of our judges to promote an independent judiciary. While it does not address or prevent all of the dangers that members of our judiciary currently face, it’s a crucial fix to the current statute and a recognition of the important role that judicial security plays in preserving the rule of law. We applaud the House of Representatives for passing this legislation late last year, and encourage the Senate to do the same, paving the way for Gov. Shapiro to quickly sign it into law.”