Our Origin
On October 15, 1999, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania appointed the Committee on Racial and Gender Bias in the Justice System to investigate the potential impact of racial and gender bias in the Pennsylvania justice system. The Committee was tasked with identifying key issues, such as:
- Treatment of litigants with limited English proficiency
- Racial, ethnic and gender bias in jury selection
- Adequacy of indigent criminal defendant representation
- Racial and ethnic disparities in the imposition of the death penalty
- Employment and appointment practices of the courts
- Perceptions and occurrences of racial, ethnic and gender bias in the courtroom
- Treatment of victims/survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault
- Racial, ethnic and gender bias in the juvenile justice system
To conduct its study, the Committee formed work groups consisting of experts such as legal professionals, educators, and advocates. These groups utilized a comprehensive research methodology that included public hearings, surveys, focus groups, personal interviews, and roundtable discussions. The Committee also reviewed existing statistical studies and reports from other states to inform their findings and recommendations, which were ultimately presented to the Supreme Court in 2003. To redress these concerns and ensure a fairer, more equitable justice system, the Committee recommended the establishment of the Interbranch Commission.
Our Commission
The Interbranch Commission was established in 2005 by all three branches of Pennsylvania government and is considered a model among the nation’s courts for addressing bias. The Commission is directed by Maraleen Shields, Esq. and consists of 24 volunteer appointees (“Commissioners”). Appointments are divided evenly between the three branches, giving our Commission its unique “Interbranch” arrangement. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania receives eight appointments, as does the Governor and the General Assembly (2 by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, 2 by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 2 by the Minority Leader of the Senate, and 2 by the Minority Leader of the House).
The work of the Commission is conducted through committees. To learn more about these Committees, use the buttons on this page to visit their pages. The Commissioners, who oversee the committees and any special initiatives, meet quarterly.
Our Purpose
The purpose of the Interbranch Commission is to promote equal application of the law for all in Pennsylvania. The Commission fulfills this purpose by:
- Implementing the recommendations from the 2003 study by the Supreme Court Committee on Racial and Gender Bias in the Justice System (the “Committee”);
- Investigating and implementing new initiatives that may not have been addressed by the Committee;
- Raising both public and professional awareness of the impact of race, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability on the fair delivery of justice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;
- Suggesting ways to reduce or eliminate such bias or invidious discrimination within all branches of government and within the legal profession; and
- Increasing public confidence in the fairness of all three branches of government in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Our Impact
We envision a justice system that is fair, inclusive, and free from bias. The Interbranch Commission is dedicated to ensuring that local and state government officials have the resources, training, and support needed to provide equal access to justice. By fostering collaboration across the three branches of government and between Pennsylvania’s 60 judicial districts, the Commission works to identify and address barriers that may prevent equitable participation in and engagement with the justice system.
