Ex-jurist reports to chemo treatment, not prison

Superior Court puts Rita A. Arnold’s state jail sentence on hold By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times A Superior Court decision has enabled Rita A. Arnold, a former magisterial district judge, to continue with her chemotherapy treatment, not report to state prison. An embattled former Chester County magisterial district judge got a Christmas Eve reprieve from the Superior Court, which...

Former jurist pleads guilty to obstructing justice

Visiting Philadelphia judge to sentence Rita A. Arnold on July 23 By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Former Magisterial District Judge Rita A. Arnold, 57, pleaded guilty on Monday to obstructing justice and tampering with public records. The fate of a former, longtime Chester County magisterial district judge now lies in the hands of a senior judge from Philadelphia. On Monday, Senior...

Indicted local judge suspended without pay

State Supreme Court acted on petition filed Thursday by Judicial Conduct Board By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times  Magisterial District Judge Mark A. Bruno has been suspended without pay, pending final disposition of his federal criminal charges. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Friday ordered a Chester County magisterial district judge ensnared in the sweeping federal probe of alleged...

W. Chester jurist ordered to relinquish keys, ID

President judge said cases will be handled by rest of county’s magisterial district judges By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (left) poses with Magisterial District Judge Mark A. Bruno at a District 11 Special Court Judges Association meeting in November. Pileggi has called for the end of Philadelphia Traffic Court, where Bruno, who was indicted...

Magisterial district judge gets one-month, unpaid suspension

Rita A. Arnold will return to bench Sept. 1, according to state Court of Judicial Discipline By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Magisterial District Judge Rita A. Arnold will return to the bench on Sept. 1 after a court-ordered month’s suspension. Choking back tears, Magisterial District Judge Rita A. Arnold pleaded with the state Court of Judicial Discipline to let her keep her...

Court: Judge subverted justice

Rita Arnold found to have acted improperly to protect son, then herself By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com District Justice Rita Arnold The Court of Judicial Discipline has found “clear and convincing evidence” that Magisterial District Judge Rita A. Arnold violated the rules of professional conduct. In a press release issued Friday, the court referenced Arnold’s improper...