In a virtual hearing Thursday, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court considered whether to intervene in the impeachment of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. Lawyers for Krasner urged the court to declare the proceedings legally baseless. A four judge panel, evenly split between democrats and republicans, is hearing the case. The panel did not say when they would announce their ruling.

The case, Krasner v. Ward, is a result of a Pennsylvania House Republican November vote to impeach the Philadelphia District Attorney. First filed December 2, the case centers on three separate legal issues. First, whether the vote to impeach Krasner became null and void at the end of the 2022 legislative session. Second, whether the Pennsylvania Constitution authorizes the General Assembly to impeach locally elected officials like the District Attorney. Third, whether the articles of impeachment filed against Krasner allege conduct that actually rises to the constitutionally required “misbehavior in office.”

The state senate will hear the impeachment trial of Krasner beginning January 18, 2023. Representatives Craig Williams and Tim Bonner, both Republicans and former prosecutors, will serve as the lead impeachment managers. Representative Jared Solomon, a Democrat who voted against impeaching Krasner, will provide the defense.

Krasner maintains that the impeachment proceedings against him are politically motivated. First filed October 26, the articles of impeachment against Krasner do not allege a specific crime committed by the District Attorney, and Pennsylvania House Select Committee investigating Krasner did not recommend impeachment.