ews for Immediate Release  

pril 27, 2021 

 

ennsylvania Supreme Court, Department of Human Services Address Criminal Justice Reform 
for Pennsylvanians with Autism  

ARRISBURG — Recognizing the importance of criminal justice reform for those with an autism 

spectrum disorder (ASD), the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, along with the Pennsylvania 
Department of Human Services (DHS), is taking steps toward addressing access to justice issues 
in northeast Pennsylvania.  

April is Autism Awareness month and these forums have brought to the surface evidence of 
the need for real and lasting criminal justice reform for people with autism,” Justice Kevin 
Dougherty said.  

Our goal here is simple – listen to those living in silence for too long, learn from their 
experiences and give power to their voices to educate those around us,” Justice Kevin 
Dougherty said.  

If we’re truly committed to reforming our system, we need to broaden our vision and open 
ourselves up to someone else’s reality – especially when it looks different than our own.” 

n 2020, the Supreme Court signaled its commitment to Pennsylvanians with autism by forming 
a first-of-its-kind partnership with the Department of Human Services to heighten the focus on 
helping judges better understand and communicate with individuals with an ASD.  

oday’s discussion is the fourth in a five-part regional series aimed at learning about court 
experiences from individuals with an ASD. A statewide virtual kick-off event was held in Nov., 
setting the stage for the regional listening tour focused on listening, learning and educating. 

hose participating in today’s virtual regional forum included: 

Justice Kevin Dougherty, Pa. Supreme Court 

• 
•  Nina Wall, director, Bureau of Autism Services, Pa. Department of Human Services 
•  David Knauss, self-advocate living with autism  
•  Shelly Mattie, parent of a person with autism, Lycoming County 
•  Hon. Jennifer Rogers, Judge, Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas 

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•  Hon. Vito Geroulo, Judge, Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas 
•  Hon. Bonnie Carney, Magisterial District Judge, Wayne County 
•  Sam Sanguedolce, district attorney, Luzerne County  
•  Bob Moran, Esq., attorney, Lackawanna County 
• 

Jennifer Williams, deputy mental health administrator, Carbon-Monroe-Pike Mental 
Health and Developmental Services 

•  Capt. Christopher King and Lt. Adam Reed, Pennsylvania State Police  
•  Leonard Namiotka, superintendent of Scranton Police Department 

hrough the discussion, the Court and DHS will hear first-hand about challenges faced in the 
system from medical professionals, service providers in the northeast Pa and from individuals 
with autism alike as they seek access to justice. 

ith nearly one in 59 children diagnosed with an ASD*, judges hearing cases in criminal, 

juvenile, orphans’, family court, etc. are sure to have individuals living with autism come before 
them.  

s part of this effort, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the courts have added information and 

resources for families supporting an individual with autism on the Pennsylvania Courts 
frequently asked questions page.  

or more information about this joint effort and services and support for individuals with 
autism visit ASERT (Autism Services Education Resources and Training) at 
https://paautism.org/resource/justice/. 
 

Media contact: Stacey Witalec, Pennsylvania Courts -- 717-877-2997 
 

 

 

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Statistic from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Autism and Developmental 
Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, 2018   

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