Robert Rihmeek Williams, known professionally as Meek Mill, is a prominent rapper, songwriter, and activist.[i] His acclaimed song “Dreams and Nightmares” is closely linked with the Philadelphia Eagles, who stormed the field to the track during the 2018 Super Bowl, where they captured their first championship title.[ii] This song pays homage to Meek Mill’s hometown of Philadelphia, and reflects on the hardships he faced on the way to and through his success.[iii]

It seems that Meek Mill’s influence has expanded beyond the Philadelphia Eagles and into Philadelphia’s Criminal Courts. Judge Scott DiClaudio (“DiClaudio”) serves on the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas and is known to be acquainted both professionally and socially with Meek Mill.[iv]  On September 9, 2025, the Judicial Conduct Board charged Philadelphia Judge DiClaudio with four violations of judicial conduct and two violations of the Pennsylvania Constitution.[v] The Board has also petitioned the court to suspend DiClaudio until the ethics complaint has been resolved.[vi]

The Complaint alleges that DiClaudio attempted to influence a fellow judge, Zachary Schaffer, in the sentencing of a defendant who is closely associated with Meek Mill.[vii] The defendant faces prosecution for a fatal shooting.[viii] Prior to the defendant’s sentencing, the judges met in DiClaudio’s chambers regarding a personal matter. DiClaudio had asked Schaffer’s clerk to leave the room so the two judges could converse “privately.”[ix] DiClaudio then showed Shaffer a paper with the defendant’s name, who had pled before Judge Schaffer, and the courtroom number where he was scheduled to be sentenced. DiClaudio told Schaffer, “I’ve heard you might do the right thing anyway,” ripped up the paper, and disposed of it. Judge Schaffer reported the incident the following day and recused himself from the defendant’s case.[x]

The charges against DiClaudio show that even a subtle attempt to sway judicial decision making threatens the integrity of the court. Such behavior implies that the judiciary is acting under popular influence rather than in accordance with the facts and governing law. The American Bar Association (“ABA”) Model Code of Judicial Conduct explicitly prohibits such influence, emphasizing that public trust in the judiciary is eroded when judicial decision making is perceived to be controlled from the outside.[xi]

The ABA sets clear standards to prevent such external influence. Rule 2.4, “External Influences on Judicial Conduct,” specifically prohibits influence from “family, social, political, financial, or other interests or relationships” to impede judicial conduct.[xii] Further, Rule 2.4 prohibits any conduct that might give off the impression that a judge is acting under the influence of another.[xiii]

Additionally, under Rule 1.2, “Promoting Confidence in the Judiciary,” the ABA requires that judges must act “at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the independent, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.”[xiv] A judge who is acting in violation of Rule 1.2 adversely effects their honesty and fitness to be serving as a neutral officer of the court.

To be “neutral,” judges must act impartially, guaranteeing every person in the system a fair and equal opportunity to be heard. DiClaudio’s actions hindered both his and Judge Schaffer’s ability to be fair. Rule 2.10, “Judicial Statements on Pending and Impending Cases,” specifically prohibits statements on pending and impending cases, as it tends to affect the outcome or impact the fairness of that matter.[xv] This rule does not completely prohibit a judge from making statements, they could comment on their duties or explain procedures, but they must ensure their comments do not interfere with the fairness of the trial or hearing.[xvi]

External influence takes many forms ranging from personal and social relations to public opinion, judicial appointments, political affiliation, and personal ideology. Judicial deference to public opinion tends to produce outcomes that disproportionately burden marginalized defendants, perpetuating systemic inequities.[xvii] Judges who demonstrate a willingness to rule in favor of close friends and their acquittances open the door for others to exert influence, completely undermining the judge’s impartiality.

The most visible effect of external influence appears in the continuing erosion of public trust in the courts. A study from 1972–2022 found that only forty percent of Americans expressed confidence in the judicial branch.[xviii] Judges’ susceptibility to external influence erodes public confidence, which can exacerbate polarization within the government.[xix] The public’s mistrust may generate momentum for fundamental reform of the judicial branch.

So how can courts protect their integrity and freedom from external influence? A key solution is to adhere to the requirements set out by the ABA. Attaining a mandated compliance from the entire judiciary presents a major challenge, but it is not impossible. Judges can look to Judge Schaffer’s compliance as an example, Schaffer immediately reported DiClaudio’s misconduct and withdrew himself from the case.[xx]

Ultimately, Judge DiClaudio’s case demonstrates the impact of judicial influence and the ABA Code’s role in maintaining the integrity and accountability of our courts. As the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board has made clear, when judges disregard the code, their “dreams” quickly turn into “nightmares.”

[i] See Samuel Momodu, Meek Mill/Robert Rihmeek Williams (1987- ), BlackPast (July 15, 2021), https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/meek-mill-robert-rihmeek-williams-1987/ [https://perma.cc/SXC9-4BZX].

[ii] See Deena Zaru, Philadelphia Eagles Show Solidarity with Imprisoned Rapper Meek Mill During Super Bowl Entrance, CNN (Feb. 5, 2018), https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/04/politics/eagles-super-bowl-meek-mill-philadelphia-dreams-and-nightmares [https://perma.cc/UGY6-PFU7].

[iii] See Zac Al-Khateem, Meek Mill Eagles Song, Explained: How ‘Dreams and Nightmares’ Became a Philadelphia Anthem, The Sporting News (Feb. 9, 2023), https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/meek-mill-eagles-song-dreams-and-nightmares-philadelphia-anthem/rbjqlsv8bvve6vf0ivgx5plz [https://perma.cc/8H8Z-L5W2].

[iv] See James Boyle, ‘Whiz’ Honor Judge Accused of Trying to Sway Sentencing, Law360 (Sep. 9, 2025), https://www.law360.com/pulse/articles/2386052 [https://perma.cc/9GNB-BPXQ].

[v]  Id.

[vi] Id.

[vii] Id.

[viii] See Caroline Fisher, Judge Accused of Trying To Sway Case Tied To Meek Mill Associate In New Complaint, HNHH (Sep. 10, 2025), https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/944074-judge-accused-meek-mill-associate-complaint-hip-hop-news [https://perma.cc/3S7E-FKQY].

[ix] See Boyle, supra note iv.

[x] Boyle, supra note iv.

[xi]  See Model Code Of Jud. Conduct r. 2.4 cmt. (A.B.A. 2020).

[xii] Model Code Of Jud. Conduct r. 2.4 (A.B.A. 2020).

[xiii] Id.

[xiv] See Model Code Of Jud. Conduct r. 1.2 (A.B.A. 2020).

[xv] See Model Code Of Jud. Conduct  r. 2.10 (A.B.A. 2020).

[xvi] Id.

[xvii] See Shawn Patterson Jr. et al., The Withering of Public Confidence in the Courts, 108 Judicature 22, 31 (2024).

[xviii] See Jeffrey M. Jones, Trust in Federal Government Branches Continues to Falter, Gallup (Oct. 11, 2022), https://news.gallup.com/poll/402737/trust-federal-government-branches-continues-falter.aspx [https://perma.cc/MD5D-35G5].

[xix] See Patterson, supra note xvii.

[xx] See Boyle, supra note iv.