# Matter of Johnson

> Supreme Court of Pennsylvania · December 26, 1978 · 483 Pa. 227

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/9642002

## Case

- **Full name:** In the Matter of Livingstone M. JOHNSON, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
- **Court:** Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
- **Decided:** December 26, 1978
- **Citations:** 483 Pa. 227; 395 A.2d 1319; 1978 Pa. LEXIS 1162
- **Precedential status:** Published
- **Opinion:** Dissent by Larsen
- **Judges:** Eagen, Roberts, Pomeroy, Nix, Manderino, Larsen, O'Brien, Inquiry, Review, Eastern
- **Cited by:** 6 later opinions in the Frix Law Library

## Citator (automated)

- No negative treatment found by the automated citator. That is not the same as a confirmation that the case is good law; read the citing cases.
- Full citator and citing cases: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/9642002

## Opinion text

DISSENTING STATEMENT
Mr. Justice ROBERTS dissents and would accept the recommendation of The Judicial Inquiry and Review Board, dated March 22, 1978. (See Report of the Judicial Inquiry and Review Board, filed August 3, 1978 in the Office of the Prothonotary — Eastern District.)
LARSEN, Justice,
dissenting.
I dissent. The majority is willing to excuse an ill-tempered, jail-happy judge’s behavior even though the Judicial Inquiry and Review Board (judicial disciplinary arm of the Supreme Court) recommended that some sanction be applied. In the two cases before us Judge Johnson decided to throw two people (a policeman and an attorney) in jail because he whimsically and angrily did not like what they did. His actions were to further his own personal emotional needs as opposed to judicial-public servant needs. His behavior is characteristic of a bully. Judge Johnson should be suspended from office for one month during which time all pay and benefits would be forfeited.
It may be that Judge Johnson does not have the desired judicial temperament required of those who serve on the bench. If there is no improvement in Judge Johnson’s behavior after this suspension, he should be removed from office permanently.

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/9642002. Public record. Not legal advice.