Your Privacy Matters Always Confidential Support
At JCJPA, we prioritize your privacy above all. Whether you’re reaching out for yourself, a colleague, or your family member, your identity and information are protected with the highest level of discretion. We offer confidential guidance so you can get the support you need without fear or judgment.
Confidential Help You Can Trust
We understand how difficult it can be to ask for help, especially in the legal profession. That’s why every call and service provided by JCJPA is handled with complete confidentiality.
Your identity will never be shared without your consent. JCJPA does not report to the Supreme Court, Judicial Conduct Board, Disciplinary Board, Board of Law Examiners, or any law-related organization. You may remain anonymous and still receive full access to our supportive services. Even evaluations with healthcare professionals arranged through JCJPA are protected under strict state and federal confidentiality laws.
Frequently Asked Questions
Canon 2, PA Code of Judicial Conduct
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania recognizes that judges and lawyers may become ill and need to seek specialized treatment. The Court also acknowledges that fear of disclosure can prevent many from seeking help.
Canon 2, Rule 2.14 of the Pennsylvania Code of Judicial Conduct states:
“A judge having a reasonable belief that the performance of a lawyer or another judge is impaired by drugs or alcohol, or by a mental, emotional, or physical condition, shall take appropriate action, which may include a confidential referral to a lawyer or judicial assistance program.”
[JCJ and LCL are the Commonwealth’s approved assistance programs.]
Comment (2) of Rule 2.14 further explains:
“Taking or initiating corrective action by way of referral to an assistance program may satisfy a judge’s responsibility under this Rule. Assistance programs have many approaches for offering help to impaired judges and lawyers, such as intervention, counseling, or referral to appropriate health care professionals. Depending upon the gravity of the conduct that has come to the judge’s attention, however, the judge may be required to take other action, such as reporting the impaired judge or lawyer to the appropriate authority, agency, or body. See Rule 2.15.”
This framework emphasizes that judges can take confidential action to assist colleagues while still fulfilling their ethical responsibilities.
Rule 8.3, PA Rules of Professional Conduct
Canon 2 and Rule 8.3: Ethical Guidance for Judges and Lawyers
Canon 2 is analogous to Rule 8.3 in the Rules of Professional Conduct, which requires lawyers to report the substantial misconduct of another lawyer or judge.
Rule 8.3(c) provides an important exception to this duty:
“The Rule does not require disclosure of information otherwise protected by Rule 1.6 or information gained by a lawyer or judge while participating in an approved lawyers assistance program.”
[Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers and Judges Concerned for Judges are the Commonwealth’s approved assistance programs.]
Comment 7 elaborates on this exception:
“Information about a lawyer’s or judge’s misconduct or fitness may be received by a lawyer in the course of that lawyer’s participation in an approved lawyers or judges assistance program. In that circumstance, providing for an exception to the reporting requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Rule encourages lawyers and judges to seek treatment through such a program. Conversely, without such an exception, lawyers and judges may hesitate to seek assistance from these programs, which may then result in additional harm to their professional careers and additional injury to the welfare of clients and to the public.”
This guidance ensures that lawyers and judges can confidentially seek help through approved assistance programs without fear of mandatory reporting, supporting both their professional well-being and the public interest.
Get in Touch Confidentially and Quickly
All messages are reviewed by JCJPA’s trained staff and responded to during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.
If you need immediate assistance, please call our 24/7 helpline at 1-888-999-9706. Help is always available.
