Here is the text we could read:
Issue 3, 2018
newsletter of the administrative office of pa courts
Guardianship
Tracking
After careful research, design
and development, Pennsylvania’s
much-anticipated Guardianship
Tracking System (GTS) is now live
in almost every county.
(continued on page 2)
With the new Guardianship
Tracking System, everyone wins
After careful research, design and development, Pennsylvania’s much-anticipated
Guardianship Tracking System (GTS) is now live in almost every county.
Developed by AOPC/IT
and the Office of Elder
Justice in the Courts
under the direction
and supervision of the
Advisory Council on
Elder Justice in the Courts, the GTS
is a new web-based system in which
guardians of adults of all ages, court
staff, Orphans’ Court clerks and judges
can file, manage, track and submit
guardianship reports.
The new system is designed with the
goal of monitoring guardian activity
in Pennsylvania while streamlining
and improving the guardianship filing
process.
“Pennsylvania ranks fourth in the
nation for the highest population
percentage of elders,” said
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice
Debra Todd. “As the commonwealth’s
aging population continues to grow,
it is increasingly important to ensure
the protection of some of our most
vulnerable citizens.”
Court-appointed guardians of
incapacitated adults can now receive
automatic reminders about important
filing dates and deadlines. They can
file inventory forms and annual reports
online rather than having to go to
their county courthouse to file reports
manually.
Historically, court staff in each county
have been tasked with manually
scanning and filing guardians’
inventories and annual reports.
However, the Elder Law Taskforce
noted in its final report to the Supreme
Court that the majority of Orphans’
Court clerks reported that they do not
monitor whether inventory and annual
reports are submitted by guardians.
The GTS will ease the burden of the
guardianship filing process for these
court staff while ensuring that every
report is automatically reviewed.
Far too often people who are
financially exploited do not realize
what has happened to them for
months, sometimes years. Among its
many benefits, the GTS will ensure that
potential guardianship problems are
identified and responded to quickly.
Additionally, the GTS integrates
guardian information into a statewide
database rather than separate,
individual county databases.
“This statewide collection of data will
not only eliminate the potential for
an unsuitable guardian to relocate to
other counties, but will also generate
information about guardianship trends
that will help decision makers draft
laws and establish procedures to
better protect Pennsylvanians,” said
Amy Whitworth, AOPC/IT analyst
manager.
Everyone involved in the development
and implementation of the GTS should
be very proud knowing that their
long-dedicated efforts have effected
real change in the way Pennsylvania
protects its most vulnerable citizens.
2
Editors
Stacey Witalec
Kim Bathgate
Writer
Casey Scheffler
Contributors
Patti Campbell
Rhonda Hocker
Stephen Baldwin
Graphic Design
Gretchen Smith
Photography
Justin Scott
Court Administrator of PA
Tom Darr
Assistant Court Administrator of PA
Andrea B. Tuominen, Esq.
All content is collected, written
and edited by the AOPC
Communications Office
unless noted.
You may reach the office
by calling: (717) 231-3300
or by emailing:
CommunicationsOffice@pacourts.us
For more information about
Pennsylvania’s courts, visit the UJS
website at: www.pacourts.us
Twitter @PACourts
Facebook @pennsylvaniacourts
Instagram @pennsylvaniacourts
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Thomas G. Saylor
Chief Justice of Pennsylvania
Max Baer
Justice
Debra Todd
Justice
Christine Donohue
Justice
Kevin M. Dougherty
Justice
David N. Wecht
Justice
Sallie Updyke Mundy
Justice
3
Harassment
training
conducted
online
Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court approved mandatory
harassment prevention training for all AOPC, appellate court and state-level
district court staff.
Participants were introduced to concepts and received practical guidance
on how to identify the various types of harassment and recognize
behaviors that may be considered inappropriate through videos inspired by
real-life harassment cases.
The course also introduced staff to harassment prevention guidelines
through scenario building and outlining of both organizational and personal
liabilities arising from any such transgressions. A manager’s version of the
training extended the employee version with discussion regarding the
pitfalls and risks for failing to stop known harassment.
Designed to engage participants and validate comprehension, a short
quiz concluded the program and directed staff to policies and procedures
including specific reporting instructions.
While harassment prevention training is currently not required for all
employers in Pennsylvania, this training reinforced our long-standing
dedication to fair and equal treatment to all who work in or enter the
commonwealth’s courts and related offices.
The Supreme Court is committed to promoting equal employment
opportunity and non-discriminatory practices and this comprehensive
training ensured that message was sent to staff.
Cumberland County pilots text
notification program
In an attempt to reduce the number of
people who fail to appear at scheduled
court dates, Cumberland County
is piloting a mandatory electronic
notification system that requires
people to sign up for text or email
alerts about upcoming court hearings.
District Court Administrator for
Cumberland County, Melissa Calvanelli,
explained that the county initially rolled
out the system in the fall of 2017 on
a volunteer basis, but only saw about
100 people sign up to participate over
the six-month trial period.
Beginning this past July, the system
was rolled out again, but this time
participation from everyone in the
court system was mandatory.
Alerts are sent out seven days prior to
the scheduled court date and again
one day before.
“The first notification gives people
a heads-up to make arrangements
to find a babysitter, take off work or
whatever they need to do to be able to
attend,” said Calvanelli. “The second
notification is a last-minute reminder
so people really can no longer use ‘I
forgot’ as a valid excuse in front of a
judge.”
The notification program technology
was developed by the County
Commissioners Association of
Pennsylvania as a pilot for Cumberland
County.
i d e t o p o w e r o f f
s l
“Other counties have shown a lot of
interest in the program and are waiting
to see our results,” said Calvanelli.
According to Calvanelli, since the
county rolled out the program on a
mandatory basis in July, there has
been a slight downtick in the number
of people who miss their scheduled
hearings.
However, the first month was mainly
spent entering data into the system
and getting people set-up to receive
alerts, so they plan to re-evaluate
the program’s results after about six
months, where they hope to see a
more significant decline in that number.
Calvanelli explained that court
hearings are usually scheduled
months in advance and often times
when someone doesn’t show up, it’s
because they either forgot or got the
date wrong.
Even if a defendant’s court absence
is an innocent mistake, a failure-to-
appear warrant must be issued. This
ends up costing taxpayers thousands
of dollars every year in additional staff
time, paperwork and possibly jail time
for the defendant.
If the program reduces the number
of failure-to-appear warrants by just
six percent, it will end up paying for
itself. Counties in other states including
Oregon and Washington have
implemented similar programs and saw
reductions in missed court dates by 30
to 50 percent.
If it’s deemed a success in Cumberland
County and other counties decide to
implement similar programs, it could
end up reducing administrative court
costs statewide.
Lottery prizes now subject to intercept by Revenue
A new law took effect in October
requiring the Pennsylvania Lottery to
check with the Administrative Office
of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) for any
outstanding court judgments before
awarding any winnings over $2,500.
If court-ordered obligations are found
to exist, the AOPC must report the total
amount owed to the Department of
Revenue, which will be deducted from
the prize amount and used to satisfy
those obligations.
Additionally, the new law requires that
the Lottery check for any outstanding
tax obligations with the Department of
Revenue as well.
All Pennsylvania Lottery winnings
over $2,500 were already subject to
intercept by the Department of Human
Services for child support obligations,
but the new law adds Revenue and
AOPC to that process.
For any outstanding obligation that
exists for either back taxes or court
judgments, a $15 administrative
fee will be deducted from the final
winnings that will go into the Lottery
Fund supporting benefits for older
Pennsylvanians.
If obligations exceeding the prize
amount are found to exist with any of
these three departments, the claimant
4
will not be eligible to receive any of the
winnings.
For Lottery winnings over $5,000,
applicable income taxes will be
withheld before any outstanding
obligations are intercepted.
L to R: Becky Rider, Melanie Jesko and Ashley Mansberry
Staff and community respond during
Fayette County district court incident
“I’m very thankful
and proud of the
bravery displayed by
my staff during this
tragic event,” said
Judge Shimshock.
“They were a huge
part of ensuring that
a terrible situation
was not as bad as
it could have been
without them.”
On Sep. 19, 2018, at the office of
Fayette County Magisterial District
Judge Daniel Shimshock in Masontown,
a gunman opened fire in a waiting room
full of court users and court staff.
Office manager, Becky Rider, while
praying, attended to the wounded
wife who had been shot in the arm.
The shooter was fatally wounded by a
German Township police officer.
The assailant was identified as the
defendant in a domestic abuse criminal
action scheduled for preliminary
hearing that afternoon. The defendant
shot his estranged wife, two other men
and a police officer who attempted to
prevent him from continuing.
“I’m very thankful and proud of
the bravery displayed by my staff
during this tragic event,” said Judge
Shimshock. “They were a huge part
of ensuring that a terrible situation
was not as bad as it could have been
without them.”
Court staff and the public heard
the shots and took cover in Judge
Shimshock’s office and in the staff’s
restroom.
Ashley Mansberry and Melanie Jesko,
secretarial staff, bravely took the
young daughter of a police officer,
who was shadowing her dad that
day, and a mother and infant into the
restroom for cover.
The magisterial district court staff were
commended for their fast thinking
and selflessness and were presented
certificates of appreciation by
President Judge John F. Wagner, Jr.
“I’m grateful for the response from the
criminal justice community during this
traumatic situation,” added President
Judge Wagner.
5
Pennsylvania courts launch outreach
campaign to help stop abuse
In October, the Pennsylvania courts launched an
educational outreach campaign using social media ads
and bilingual video production to educate victims of
abuse on how the courts can help them.
Funded by federal STOP Grant money, AOPC created and
launched digital ads on Facebook, Instagram and Google.
The online ads work to make victims increasingly aware
that protection orders exist as an option to help stop their
abuse.
When clicked on, the ads direct users to a detailed step-
by-step video explaining the process of how to file for
a protection order in Pennsylvania – a process that the
courts recognize can be overwhelming and scary for
victims to navigate alone.
Produced by AOPC/Communications, the Pennsylvania
Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, the video aims to
make victims feel comfortable navigating the court system
when filing for a protection order and prepares them for
exactly what to expect at each step of the process.
The video is available in both English and Spanish on a
new webpage on pacourts.us/learn that houses a variety
of helpful protection order resources.
Through an expanded online and social media presence,
the courts can reach a significant audience that they might
not have previously been able to engage.
“The public’s access to courts is a fundamental right but
that right is only fulfilled when people know how the
judicial system works,” said Tom Darr, court administrator
of Pennsylvania.
This campaign marks an exciting step in the courts’ efforts
to reach a specific audience immediately and directly using
social media. It opens the door a lot wider when it comes
to how the courts communicate important information
about the resources we can provide to the public.”
Many victims of abuse either are not aware that protection
orders exist as an option to help end their abuse, or they
are intimidated by the process. By educating the public,
the courts hope that victims of abuse gain the knowledge
and confidence to seek the help they need.
What is the federal STOP Grant?
Follow us on
Facebook!
View the campaign on
our official Facebook
page. Follow PA Courts
on Facebook to keep up
to date on important court
news and organizational
updates.
Administered through the U.S Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), the STOP Formula
Grant Program awards federal grant money to states and territories to help enhance their communities’ efforts to
combat violence against women.
6
Court security:
Assessing threats,
avoiding tragedies
Since the inception of Pennsylvania’s Judicial Incident
Reporting System (PAJIRS) in Magisterial District Courts in
2005 and Common Pleas Courts in 2007, staff in the AOPC/
Office of Judicial District Security (OJDS) have assessed and
responded to over 4,700 security incidents.
PAJIRS provides judges, court administrators and other
designated users with an electronic format in which to
capture threats to court safety and security. For staff in the
OJDS, it provides a dynamic tool that serves many purposes.
First and foremost, it enables these OJDS staff members
to connect quickly with courts to provide guidance on any
needed protective measures for judges and court staff.
It also allows them to liaise with law enforcement when
necessary, and recommend short-term and long-term
countermeasures that may be warranted.
In addition to OJDS staff, the district court administrator and
sheriff both receive an immediate email notification that an
incident report has been filed in their county.
Accordingly, these two key local court security members
have instant access to information related to the incident,
allowing them to follow through on guidance provided by
OJDS staff and discuss the incident with other members of
their local court security committee established pursuant to
Pa. R. JA. No. 1954.
Subsequently, they are able to offer recommendations to
the president judge regarding policies and procedures to
mitigate risks associated with the instant and future threats.
PAJIRS is emblematic of the vital communication efforts
designed to keep judges, court staff and other building
occupants and visitors in court facilities safe.
Of the incidents reported via PAJIRS, those that arise out
of domestic relations cases are especially concerning to
OJDS staff. Decisions regarding divorce, child custody and
financial support can serve as overwhelming stressors for
the involved parties.
Regardless if a physical altercation occurs at a proceeding
or not, the communication of any type of threat, whether
directed towards others or implied, merits attention. There is
no “over-reporting” of such threats.
Developing and maintaining a robust security posture for
court facilities necessitates consistent collaboration and
communication among stakeholders at the local level.
Through PAJIRS, these stakeholders have a formal method
by which to communicate threats and implement strategies
to avert tragedies.
Changing with the times
Court security is a national concern
that is expanding in scope. This past
July, the 2018 Annual Conference
of State Court Administrators and
Conference of Chief Justices’ was
devoted to security topics that went
beyond people and facilities.
Cyber threats are growing as rapidly
as technology, pressing court
security professionals and judicial
leaders to expand their definition of
secure courts.
attacks on automated systems that
contain confidential court data and
govern orderly court operations.
Leading experts from across
the country briefed conference
participants on federal government
cyber security initiatives,
manipulation of social media
designed to thwart the rule of law,
the dangers of the dark web and
cyber-crimes prosecuted in the
courts.
security, including training for active
shooter situations, the presence of
dangerous toxins associated with
the opioid epidemic breaching the
courthouse and a panel offering
first-hand accounts of continued
operations in the wake of recent
Hurricanes Harvey and Maria.
The conference served as a
reminder that modern court
security continues to evolve with
contemporary challenges.
Cyber security measures must keep
pace with increasingly sophisticated
Other sessions updated best
practices in physical courthouse
7
Domestic Relations
Rule Change
By Bruce J. Ferguson
Counsel to the Domestic Relations
Procedural Rules Committee
In August, the Supreme Court
of Pennsylvania adopted rules
implementing parenting coordination,
which become effective March 1, 2019.
Parenting coordination is a non-
confrontational, conflict-resolution
process for parents who have ongoing
high conflict or extensive custody-
related litigation. The underlying
principles of parenting coordination
focus on providing for a child’s best
interest and facilitating parents’
decision-making.
The process helps parents implement
and comply with final custody orders,
reduces conflict between parents and
minimizes custody-related litigation.
The Court adopted a procedural
framework for parenting coordination
similar to that of the rules governing
the processes that child custody and
juvenile dependency hearing officers
must follow – processes that also
incorporate a mediation concept to
assist parties in resolving their issues.
Parenting coordinators meet with
parties to discuss their issues and
possible resolutions. If the parties
are unable to agree, the parenting
coordinator provides his or her
recommended resolution to the court.
In the event a party disagrees with
the recommendation of the parenting
coordinator, the rules provide for a new
hearing before a judge.
Most importantly, the rules outline
the judiciary’s role in the parenting
coordination process – the appointing
judge is responsible for supervising the
parenting coordinator and reviewing
each of their recommendations.
For judicial districts implementing
a parenting coordination program,
the rules require that the local
court maintain a list of qualified
parenting coordinators – these can
include attorneys or mental health
professionals who meet the rule’s
qualifications and have submitted
an affidavit to the president judge or
administrative judge.
Additionally, the rules require that
a judicial district implementing a
parenting coordination program
establish a local rule allowing low-
income parties to participate in the
program either for free or at a reduced
fee.
The judicial district is also required to
establish a local rule establishing the
hourly rate that a parenting coordinator
may charge the parties.
In addition to the parenting
coordination rules, the Domestic
Relations Procedural Rules Committee
recommended amendments to
the Rules of Civil of Procedure that
eliminate the charging of fees that are
not specifically authorized by statute in
all domestic relations actions, as well
as establish a statewide uniformity for
the filing of support-related pleadings
and documents.
The amendments require that all
support-related pleadings and
documents be filed in a single filing
office in each county’s domestic
relations section. Additionally, the
amendments now prevent parties
with child support, spousal support
and alimony claims from filing them as
counts in a divorce complaint, requiring
that they be filed in the domestic
relations section as well.
These amendments were adopted
by the Supreme Court and become
effective Jan. 1, 2019.
Call for Entries
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Contact the AOPC Communications Office with the scoop!
Email: CommunicationsOffice@pacourts.us
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aopconnected
8
Veterans belong in our
hearts, not in our prisons
“I went from being in a war
zone to being back home
in North Carolina within
72 hours,” said former
U.S. Marine Sergeant
Tim Wynn.
“Four days after returning
home, I was arrested for
aggravated assault.”
One of the three Veterans Courts
events presented this fall by AOPC’s
Problem-Solving Court unit included
a half-day session at Widener Law
School, where former U.S. Marine Sgt.
Tim Wynn shared how his experience
with Pennsylvania’s Veterans Court
gave him his life back.
Wynn served from 1999 to 2003 and
was stationed in Iraq following 9/11
when he was honorably discharged
and sent back home.
“I went from being in a war zone to
being back home in North Carolina
within 72 hours,” said Wynn. “Four days
after returning home, I was arrested for
aggravated assault.”
Unable to process this abrupt
transition, Wynn began to abuse drugs
and alcohol as a way to cope with his
posttraumatic stress disorder and other
mental issues that stemmed from his
time in the war.
After serving a brief sentence in a
Philadelphia county prison, Wynn was
arrested an eighth time. This is when
he found himself in Veterans Court
where he was given the opportunity to
turn his life around.
Within eight months, Wynn had
graduated from the program and
dedicated his life to helping other
veterans. He is now a Veterans
Certified Peer Specialist and leader
of the Philadelphia Veterans Court
Mentor Program.
“I had no mission when I returned
home from war,” said Wynn. “Veterans
Court put a mission back in my life, and
I’m now an employee at the court that I
was once a defendant in many times.”
Wynn was able to get 17 charges
expunged from his record, but of all
the things Veterans Court allowed
him to get back, Wynn said the most
important to him was the ability to be a
part of his family and be a good father
to his two young children.
There are currently Veterans Courts
in 20 Pennsylvania counties that see
a 73 percent successful graduation
rate. The purpose of these treatment
courts is to reduce recidivism and
help veterans return to their jobs
and families and become productive
citizens – the effects of which Sgt. Tim
Wynn can personally attest to.
Other keynote speakers for the
event included the director of the
National Association of Drug Court
Professionals’ (NADCP) new Advancing
Justice initiative, Melissa Fitzgerald,
and her father, former Pennsylvania
Supreme Court Justice James
Fitzgerald, who both spoke about the
crucial need for Veterans Courts in our
society.
“I firmly believe that Veterans Courts
work,” said Justice Fitzgerald.
“Veterans Courts, mental health
courts, and all other problem-solving
courts play a vital role in ensuring our
courts and criminal justice system truly
provides justice to all.”
Justice Fitzgerald spoke about the
negative effect that harsh, mandatory
sentences have had on the country
as a whole. He explained that
incarceration costs the taxpayers
above: former United States Marine Sgt. Tim Wynn
below: former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice
James Fitzgerald
roughly $36,000 per prisoner, per
year, and that anywhere from 20 to 40
percent of those incarcerated suffer
from mental health issues.
“Ironically, America, home of the free,
has the highest incarceration rate
of any other country,” said Justice
Fitzgerald. “We can’t incarcerate our
way out of crime and criminal activity.”
Other panel members for the event
included Veterans Affairs professionals,
as well as Veterans Court mentors and
judges including Philadelphia County
Judge Patrick Dugan, a former captain
in the United States Army reserve who
oversaw Wynn’s journey through the
program.
“Veterans Courts exemplify all that we
owe to our veterans for their sacrifices
for this country,” Justice Fitzgerald
concluded. “We must make room
for veterans in our hearts, not in our
prisons.”
9
Legislative roundup
by Damian J. Wachter, Esq.
The legislature ended its final scheduled day of voting for the 2017-18 legislative session
on October 17, sending over 90 bills to the governor for his consideration. Many of
the bills impact the courts in some fashion, such as programming changes to case
management systems and the implementation of rule and/or form changes.
Domestic Violence (DV) – The governor signed
HB 2060 as Act 79. Authored by Rep. Marguerite
Quinn, the legislation adds language to the
current Uniform Firearms Act (UFA) and Protection
from Abuse (PFA) Law, specifically regarding
relinquishment of firearms in DV cases.
Under the UFA, individuals convicted of
misdemeanor crimes of DV must relinquish
firearms and firearm licenses to law enforcement
within 24 hours of the conviction. Under the
PFA Law, all final PFA orders not resulting from
consent agreements must prohibit defendants from
possessing firearms during the term of the order
and require defendants to relinquish firearms and
firearm licenses. For final PFA orders based on
consent agreements, courts may order defendants
to relinquish firearms. Relinquishment must occur
within 24 hours.
Other DV legislation enacted provides for
sentencing enhancements for DV crimes witnessed
by minors who are family or household members
(Act 157); requires plaintiffs with knowledge of
founded or indicated reports of child abuse
involving defendants to include such information
in the PFA petition (Act 92); prohibits parties
convicted of committing personal injury crimes
against the other party from receiving spousal
support or alimony pendente lite (Act 102).
Use of audio/video devices in court – A bill authored by Rep.
Jerry Knowles and signed by the governor as Act 94 amends
the Crimes Code to prohibit the operation of devices to capture,
record, transmit or broadcast a photograph, video, motion picture
or audio of proceedings or persons within a judicial facility,
without the approval of the court or as provided by rules of
court. Judicial facility is defined as courtrooms, hearing rooms
or judicial chambers, as well as other rooms made available to
interview witnesses. Rule of Judicial Administration 1910 indicates
judges should prohibit broadcasting in courtrooms and adjacent
areas, but the rule allows for exceptions.
Other legislation of note signed by the governor:
• Allowing incumbent magisterial district judges to file
certificates of nomination for reelection – specifying the intent
to seek reelection – in lieu of filing nominating petitions (Act
127)
• Providing for automated speed enforcement systems (i.e.,
cameras) in active works zones on highways under the
jurisdiction of PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission and a
portion of U.S. Route 1 in Philadelphia (Act 86)
• Adding a new chapter to the Crimes Code to focus on hazing,
primarily on college campuses (Act 80).
10
{Damian Wachter is the assistant
director of Legislative Affairs.}
The Hollenbach’s helping
hands and hearts
Longtime AOPC employees Bill and Sue Hollenbach share many things
– a home, an employer and a love for animals so strong that it inspires
a call to service for many people who hear about their work.
On top of busy work schedules and hosting international exchange
students, the couple runs an animal rescue shelter from their home in
Mechanicsburg called The Homeward Bound Animal Rescue.
Soon after forming the rescue in 2006, they discovered an unsettling
truth about the fate of pregnant dogs – they are almost always
euthanized because they are deemed unadoptable by shelters. This
knowledge shifted the rescue’s mission to primarily taking in pregnant
dogs or dogs who have just delivered their puppies.
While equipped with birthing sites in their basement to deliver the
puppies, Sue explained that often times during delivery they end up
having to call the vet.
“A good number of our moms require C-sections because there is no
control over them breeding with a much larger dog. They often can’t
pass the puppies naturally and we end up doing emergency C-sections
to save the mothers’ lives,” Sue said.
After delivering the puppies, they raise them to a certain age before
sending them to one of their 20 foster homes. The mommy dogs are
kept with the puppies for at least three months until the Hollenbachs
are confident about the type of home they would fit best in.
Sue explained that their rescue has evolved over the years to focus
on the type of rescue work that they feel compelled to do – whether
that’s paying the electric bill for another local animal shelter, buying
horses that would’ve otherwise been sent to a glue factory or paying
to transport donations to their partner rescue in Kentucky and its
surrounding communities.
Most of the dogs come from their partner rescue in Kentucky where
they help fund a program that gives Christmas meals and gifts to
impoverished children in the community. Sue said that the presents are
said to be from a shelter dog, and attached to the gift is the dog’s story.
“If you can turn the mindset around on these kids at a young age, they
will hopefully look at animals in a much more humane way and learn
not to abuse them,” Sue said.
Sue and Bill are able to do all of this with the money that their rescue
takes in from puppy adoption fees. Without those fees, they would not
be able to fund the care and treatment for their mommy dogs, or the
many other expenses they incur.
Since their rescue was formed, the Hollenbachs have seen the
adoption of over 4,300 lucky dogs – dogs who likely faced a very
different outcome.
“It all started with one litter of puppies,” Bill said. “After that it didn’t take
long for Sue to discover that this was her passion. 12 years later, Sue is
Homeward Bound – and I’m happy to help support her dreams.”
11
11
Judicial Conduct Board
Chief Counsel Retires
The Honorable Robert Graci is retiring after serving six years
as chief counsel to the Judicial Conduct Board (JCB).
Looking back, Graci said he is grateful for his varied career,
having earned marvelous opportunities and experiences
that he never imagined he would have – like arguing a
case in the U.S. Supreme Court, serving the Pennsylvania
attorney general and running a department within state
government.
Among the many other notable roles he assumed over the
last four decades, Graci served as deputy attorney general
for almost 18 years before being appointed to the Superior
Court in 2002.
After serving on the Superior Court, Graci worked in private
practice where he headed the firm’s Appellate Practice
Group for a short period before eagerly returning to state
government to serve as chief counsel for the JCB.
“I’ve had the privilege of working for a great board and
a wonderful staff,” Graci said. “I’ve experienced a lot of
interesting things and a lot of difficult things, but all of
it was important to the board and to the people of the
commonwealth, and I am happy to have been a part of it.”
Honorable Robert Graci
Upon retirement, Graci said he looks forward to spending
more time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
While he has no specific plans, Graci said that he likes
being a lawyer and expects that he will be engaged with
something related to law.
Halloween
spirit
AOPC/Finance participated in a pumpkin-
decorating contest in October and
celebrated the Halloween spirit with a
staff luncheon.
12
Around the Judiciary
The Butler County Veterans Court
graduation, where Justice Debra
Todd spoke on July 18, 2018.
Pictured are: Stephan Todd, Butler
County Veterans Court Mentor
Coordinator, Justice Debra Todd,
Judge Timothy McCune, Butler
County Veterans Court Judge,
and Butler County Judges Marilyn
Horan and William Shaffer.
On Sept. 20, Lancaster County
Veterans Court, state and
county officials participated
in a ribbon cutting ceremony
announcing the opening of
“Veterans Barracks,” a home that
will provide housing to veterans
participating in Lancaster
County Veterans Treatment
Court presided by Judge Jeffrey
Wright and their dedicated team.
A three-judge panel of the
Superior Court participated in a
special session in September in
Erie County to better acquaint
Pennsylvanians with the court
appeals process. Approximately
40 arguments were heard during
the special session by Judges
Mary Jane Bowes, Jacqueline
Shogan and Victor Stabile.
In September, Commonwealth
Court held a special session at
Lehigh University to educate the
public about the service of the
judiciary. Judge Robert “Robin”
Simpson chaired the panel and
was joined by President Judge
Mary Hannah Leavitt and Judge
Anne Covey. Following the
special session, court members
participated in a Lunch and
Learn session with Lehigh
University faculty, staff, students
and community members.
The portrait unveiling ceremony
for the Honorable Ronald D.
Castille as Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
was held on Sept. 25, 2018,
in Philadelphia. The portrait is
on display in the Philadelphia
Supreme Court Chamber and
joins other chief justices dating
back to 1600s.
Attendees at the Office of General
Council (OGC) University listened
intently during a panel discussion
regarding “Public Access Policy
of the Unified Judicial System
of Pennsylvania for Records
Filed with Commonwealth
Court and Other Pennsylvania
Courts.” Michael F. Krimmel, chief
clerk, Commonwealth Court of
Pennsylvania and David Price,
senior counsel – IT, Administrative
Office of Pennsylvania Courts,
participated in the panel and
Jonathan D. Koltash, Senior
Counsel, Department of Health,
served as moderator. The
discussion focused on how the
policy is being implemented in
courts across the commonwealth
and provided insights and
updates on the rollout to date.
13
Around the Judiciary
On Sept. 28, 2018, national and Pennsylvania officials met
in Harrisburg for a one-day event: “Veterans Courts in
Pennsylvania: Ensuring Success for the Veteran,” hosted
by Widener University Commonwealth Law School. AOPC
is a co-sponsor of this annual event. AOPC’s Angela
Lowry, state problem-solving court administrator, and Andy
Simpson, judicial programs administrator, moderated the
panel, “Veterans in the Courts: Alternative Solutions.”
Panelists included (pictured left to right): Judge Joseph
Sklarosky, Jr., Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas;
Kelly Cesari, program coordinator; Judge Michael
Salisbury, Clinton County Court of Common Pleas; David
Goodwin, Clinton County program coordinator; Magisterial
District Judge John Fishel, York County’s veterans
diversion program.
Other participants pictured below left to right: Melissa
Fitzgerald, executive director of Justice for Vets, Rhonda
Campbell, chief administrative judicial assistant to PA
Supreme Court Justice Debra Todd, Justice James
Fitzgerald, Senior Judge, Superior Court and former PA
Supreme Court Justice, Judge Patrick Dugan, Philadelphia
Court of Common Pleas, Judge Craig Trebilcock, York
Court of Common Pleas, Angela Lowry, AOPC and Andy
Simpson AOPC.
top L to R: Superior Court Judges Mary P. Murray, Maria McLaughlin, Carolyn H.
Nichols, Deborah A. Kunselman and President Judge Emeritus Correale F. Stevens
In October, Superior Court held an educational program for
the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Chambers of Commerce.
Superior Court Judges participated in the program to
discuss how business-related cases flow through the state
court system and how commerce courts in Philadelphia and
Allegheny Counties operate.
14
Around the Judiciary
The annual Mid-Atlantic Association for Court Management
conference was hosted in Pennsylvania in October. Supreme Court
Justice Debra Todd provided opening remarks to conference
attendees. The conference featured discussions on a broad range
of issues from managing high-profile trials to creating a better
judicial neighborhood.
Pictured are Don Heagy, Westmoreland County Minor Courts
administration and MAACM president, Tom Darr court administrator
of Pennsylvania, Justice Debra Todd and President Judge Rita D.
Hathaway.
Chief Justice Thomas G. Saylor gave keynote remarks on Oct.
24, 2018, at an event hosted by Duquesne University’s School
of Law entitled “The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania: Life and
Law in the Commonwealth – a Conversation.” Members of the
Supreme Court also participated in the program with Duquesne
University President, Ken Gormley, and School of Law Dean,
Maureen Lally-Green, based on a recently published book
edited by John Hare – The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania:
Life and Law in the Commonwealth, 1694-2017.
top row L to R: Justice David N. Wecht, Justice Christine Donohue, Justice Kevin M. Dougherty and Justice Sallie Updyke Mundy
bottom row L to R: Justice Max Baer, Chief Justice Thomas G. Saylor and Justice Debra Todd
Transitions
(Listings include changes from
July 24 to Nov. 2, 2018)
New to the Judicial Branch
Alicia E. Acevedo - Administrative
Assistant - Judicial Education
Amelia J. Duffy - Accountant - Finance
Andrew J. Koser - IT Specialist -
Information Technology
Danette L. Oakes - Clerical Assistant
- Judicial District Operations and
Programs
Kendra L. Riley - Administrative Assistant
- Finance
James M. Wharton - PJC Infrastructure
Technician - Information Technology
Retirements/Resignations
Andrew J. Coval - Counsel - Legal
Kate D Grenke - Administrative Assistant
- Judicial Education
James R. Hess Jr. - Network/Telephone
Specialist - Information Technology
David H. Kerstetter - PJC Infrastructure
Technician - Information Technology
Frances K. Muza - Help Desk Operator -
Information Technology
Elizabeth N. Smith - Payroll Technician -
Finance
Committees, boards and Advisory
Groups
Jane Smedley Anzalone, Esq. - appointed
- Committee on Rules of Evidence
Christopher H. Connors, Esq. -
reappointed - Committee on Rules of
Evidence
William M. Davis, Esq. - reappointed -
Committee on Rules of Evidence
Honorable G. Michael Green -
reappointed - Committee on Rules of
Evidence
Frederick N. Frank, Esq. - reappointed -
Committee on Rules of Evidence
MDJ Margaret A. Hunsicker-Fleischer
- vice chair - Minor Court Rules
Committee
MDJ James R. Edgcomb - appointed -
Minor Court Rules Committee
MDJ David M. Howells, Jr. - chair - Minor
Court Rules Committee
John J. Hare, Esq. - reappointed - Civil
procedural rules committee
Honorable Joy Reynolds McCoy
- reappointed - Juvenile Court
Procedural Rules Committee
MDJ Denise Snyder Thiel - chair - Minor
Judiciary Education Board
MDJ Karen Eisner Zucker - vice chair -
Minor Judiciary Education Board
Nicholas J. Wachinski, Esq. - appointed -
Minor Judiciary Education Board
Carolyn S. Bengel, Esq. - appointed -
Minor Judiciary Education Board
Christopher M. Miller, Esq. - appointed -
Disciplinary Board
Markita Morris-Louis, Esq. - appointed
- Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts
(IOLTA)
Daniel J. Rovner, Esq. - reappointed -
Continuing Legal Education Board
Clifford B. Levine, Esq. - reappointed/
chair - Continuing Legal Education
Board
Max W. Laun, Esq. - reappointed -
Continuing Legal Education Board
Murrel R. Walters, III, Esq. - vice chair -
Continuing Legal Education Board
15
Harrisburg, PA 17120
601 Commonwealth Avenue
