The Judicial Conduct Board filed a complaint against Former Magisterial District Judge Wade J. Brown, Respondent, consisting of three parts.

Part A charged that Respondent had repeatedly used racially and ethnically insensitive and inappropriate terms in referring to minority members of the community in the presence of his office staff and occasionally in the presence of law enforcement officers. The Board charged this conduct was a violation of Article V, §18(d)(1) of the Pennsylvania Constitution as it was such that brought the judicial office into disrepute (Count 1); was a violation of Rule 2A of the Rules Governing Standards of Conduct of Magisterial District Judges in that Respondent failed to conduct himself in a manner promoting public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary (Count 2); and was a violation of Rule 4C of the Rules Governing Standards of Conduct of Magisterial District Judges in that Respondent failed to be patient, dignified and courteous to those with whom he dealt in his official capacity (Count 3).

Part B charged that Respondent had repeatedly treated female members of his staff in a demeaning manner and charged that this conduct was a violation of Article V, §18(d)(1) of the Pennsylvania Constitution as it was such that brought the judicial office into disrepute (Count 4); was a violation of Rule 2A of the Rules Governing Standards of Conduct of Magisterial District Judges in that Respondent failed to conduct himself in a manner promoting public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary (Count 5); and was a violation of Rule 4C of the Rules Governing Standards of Conduct of Magisterial District Judges in that Respondent failed to be patient, dignified and courteous to those with whom he dealt in his official capacity (Count 6).

Part C charged Respondent with indecorous behavior toward members of his staff and charged that this conduct was a violation of Article V, §18(d)(1) of the Pennsylvania Constitution as it was such that brought the judicial office into disrepute (Count 7); and was a violation of Rule 4C of the Rules Governing Standards of Conduct of Magisterial District Judges in the Respondent failed to be patient, dignified and courteous to those with whom he dealt in his official capacity (Count 8).

Counts 1, 4 and 7 were withdrawn upon good cause shown.

The judicial officer and the Judicial Conduct Board submitted stipulated facts in lieu of trial. Based upon those facts, the Court concluded that Respondent’s conduct set out in Parts A, B and C violated Rule 4C of the Rules Governing Standards of Conduct of Magisterial District Judges and did not violate Rule 2A of the Rules Governing Standards of Conduct of Magisterial District Judges. The Court held that Respondent was subject to discipline under Article V, §18(d)(1) of the Pennsylvania Constitution.

Following a sanction hearing, the Court imposed a sanction of reprimand.