Here is the text we could read:
Issue 2, 2018
newsletter of the administrative office of pa courts
Engaging families
to combat truancy
Pennsylvania schools and magisterial district courts
focus on improving school attendance.
1
1
Magisterial district courts:
Engaging families to combat truancy
60-90 days, and if there are no further
problems, I’ll dismiss the case,” he said.
“We’re not just judges.
In some of these cases,
we’re social workers . . .
and counselors to these
students.”
– Judge David Judy
He said that more often than not in
truancy cases, there are deeper family
problems that explain the root of the
student’s attendance issues, and his
goal is to help solve those problems
rather than just fine the student or
parent.
“We’re not just judges. In some of
these cases, we’re social workers . . .
and counselors to these students,”
said Judge Judy.
Judge Corbett agreed that the majority
of truancy cases are the result of an
issue at home. She explained that a
Research shows that roughly nine
percent of Pennsylvania students are
habitually truant with many of these
truancy cases beginning in elementary
and middle school, according to the
Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Following passage of a new truancy
law in 2016, Pennsylvania schools and
magisterial district courts continue to
focus on improving school attendance
using approaches that best help truant
students by engaging their families
to support attendance and preserve
family unity.
“With the new truancy
law, truancy cases
have become more
manageable and we
have seen a reduction in
the number of truancy
referrals to magisterial
district courts.”
– Judge Joanne Corbett
Magisterial District Judge Joanne P.
Corbett, from Lackawanna County, said
that often times attendance problems
are adopted by younger siblings, and
to prevent family truancy patterns,
early intervention and discovering the
root cause of truant behavior is critical.
The 2016 truancy law requires schools
and courts to use approaches that
identify and address attendance issues
as early as possible using credible
interventions. Among some of the
law’s most significant changes to how
truancy cases are handled include:
•
The creation of procedures
(including mandatory family
notifications and school
attendance improvement
conferences) that schools must
follow when handling both truant
and habitually truant students with
court referral as the last resort
•
The restriction of truancy
disciplinary actions that result
in excluding students from the
regular classroom
• Considerable discretion for
magisterial district judges to
impose appropriate penalties in
individual cases.
Both Judge Corbett and Magisterial
District Judge David H. Judy, from
Dauphin County, were involved in
discussions concerning the 2016
truancy law during their time as
members of the Pennsylvania State
Roundtable’s Educational Success and
Truancy Workgroup launched in 2009.
The group was tasked with identifying
the systemic issues in Pennsylvania
relating to truancy and outlining an
approach for how to combat these
issues – part of which was the
development of the new truancy law.
Judge Corbett said, “With the new
truancy law, truancy cases have
become more manageable and we
have seen a reduction in the number of
truancy referrals to magisterial district
courts.”
Pennsylvania schools are
now mandated to hold school
attendance improvement
conferences with the student
and their family before any court
referral, but Judge Judy explained
that truancy cases will go to
magisterial district courts when
the student/parent(s) are absent or
uncooperative.
When explaining how he handles
those truancy cases brought
before him, Judge Judy said, “I
try to stress the importance of
education and getting a high
school diploma and hopefully give
the student and parents a wake-up
call.
“If I’m getting cooperation, I’ll put the
case on hold and review it again in
2
student’s attendance problems
usually have a specific cause
whether it’s a lack of reliable
transportation, a need to work, an
inability to afford school uniforms or
a responsibility to care for younger
siblings.
She went on to express appreciation
for the Children and Youth Services
(CYS) school liaisons in Lackawanna
County who greatly assist the
schools and courts in handling
truancy cases early and effectively.
The goal of any truancy case is to
deter further attendance issues,
address the root cause of the
problem and ultimately help the
student get on the right track.
Interpreter Certification
Program continually engaged
in recruitment and outreach
By Osvaldo R. Avilés,
Interpreter Certification Program administrator
Since its inception, AOPC’s
Interpreter Certification Program
(ICP) has continually strived to recruit
qualified candidates in all languages
for the interpreter roster to help the
judiciary provide access to court
services for all Pennsylvanians.
As the linguistic diversity in the
Commonwealth continues to grow,
the program has focused interpreter
recruitment efforts on languages
other than Spanish (LOTS).
The current interpreter roster
consists of over 200 interpreters
representing 34 languages. The
majority of them are American Sign
Language and Spanish interpreters,
which are the two languages of
highest demand in the court system.
However, as the demand for LOTS
languages continues to grow,
recruiting candidates that have the
necessary language and interpreting
skills to become qualified in
languages such as Arabic, Korean,
Nepali, Swahili and Vietnamese is
imperative.
In an attempt to attract qualified
interpreters with the necessary
combination of skills, the ICP has
done community outreach and
worked closely with organizations
including:
•
•
•
The Pennsylvania Immigrant
Citizenship Coalition
The Mayor’s Commission of Afro-
Caribbean Affairs
Professional interpreter
organizations.
The program also regularly presents
at different organizations throughout
Pennsylvania to promote the use of
qualified interpreters, explain the role
of interpreters in legal settings and
educate the professional community
about the requirements of the Court
Interpreters and Administrative
Proceedings Act (Act 172). Many of
these presentations are now aimed
at familiarizing not only interpreters,
but also judges, administrators,
the legal community and other
stakeholders with Act 172 and its
regulations.
Interested parties can learn more
about the ICP and how to qualify
as an interpreter on the judiciary’s
website.
{Osvaldo R. Avilés is the
Interpreter Certification
Program administrator.}
more INFORMATION
https://www.pacourts.us/
judicial-administration/court-
programs/interpreter-program
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 feed for general court
information is: @PACourts
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
4
Looking up
court data
just became
easier
Data dashboards are used to identify
court trends and are heavily relied upon
by judges and court staff to manage court
operations. In addition to being a valuable
resource for court management, the
dashboards also help to assure court data
is easily accessible and transparent.
The AOPC recently redesigned the
dashboard homepage and created six
new data dashboards.
The new dashboards come as the latest
in a series of interactive, digital data
visuals that simplify how users look
up court data. They allow court staff,
researchers, reporters and the public to
quickly sift through caseload data and
analyze and interpret court statistics at a
glance.
A wide range of caseload data is
accessible through the dashboards
including civil, criminal, magisterial
district court, orphans’ court, custody and
divorce, child dependency, paternity and
support, juvenile delinquency, problem-
solving courts and protection from abuse
statistics.
Data are used by the judiciary in policy
development, program evaluation
and workload analysis – and also by
organizations outside the judiciary
including the Legislature and other
county, state and federal agencies.
The AOPC publishes caseload statistics
annually and this data is available both
statewide and at the county level on the
judiciary’s website at www.pacourts.us
under the “Research and Statistics” page.
more INFORMATION
http://www.pacourts.us/news-and-statistics/
research-and-statistics/dashboard-table-of-
contents
5
35% 33%
Jurists
AOPC
staff
18%
Judicial
district
employees
14%
a mix of
others
including
appellate
court staff
Your view –
reader survey
results
Do you read AOPConnected? What are your favorite
stories? Would you like an electronic or printed
version? What improvements can we make?
These are just a few of the questions we asked in a
recent newsletter readership survey – and 326 of
you responded!
Somewhat
Useful
28%
43%
Useful
We are pleased to report that 66 percent of
respondents say they always read AOPConnected,
with 73 percent responding they are satisfied or
very satisfied with the newsletter. Readers also gave
the newsletter high marks in overall content, layout
and graphics.
24%
5%
Very Useful
Not
Useful
Once again, the survey findings failed to put to rest
the “print vs. electronic” debate with 47 percent
saying printed, 30 percent electronic and 23
percent no preference. Some of the comments
suggested an “opt in” for an electronic version.
Some of you said we should highlight AOPC
departments – while others would like to see more
articles on magisterial district courts, clerks and
prothonotaries.
One thing is clear – while feedback
was mostly positive – we are always open to your
ideas and comments. Have a story idea? Interested
in being a guest columnist? Share with us at
CommunicationsOffice@pacourts.us.
Here are some of the other comments:
“I feel it is too long and would be better
in a quick-hitting electronic format.”
“I think the newsletter is a great way to
keep a pulse on what is happening with
the Judiciary.”
35% 33%
Jurists
“Feature all levels of the judiciary fairly
and with respect.”
AOPC
staff
“I think it’s pretty good – you’ve done
a good job with the variety and type
of articles.”
Judicial
district
employees
18%
14%
a mix of
others
including
appellate
court staff
What are you most interested in reading?
4
1
Around the
Judiciary
Human interest
Court news
3
2
Tie:
Transitions &
Honors and
Dispatches
5
InfoShare
graphic
Who reads AOPConnected?
How useful is the newsletter?
35% 33%
Jurists
AOPC
staff
6
18%
Judicial
district
employees
14%
a mix of
others
including
appellate
court staff
28%
Somewhat
Useful
24%
Very Useful
43%
Useful
5%
Not
Useful
28%
Somewhat
Useful
24%
Very Useful
43%
Useful
5%
Not
Useful
1
Court news
2
Around the
Judiciary
3
Human interest
Tie:
4
Transitions &
Honors and
Dispatches
5
InfoShare
graphic
1
Court news
2
Around the
Judiciary
3
Human interest
Tie:
4
Transitions &
Honors and
Dispatches
5
InfoShare
graphic
AOPC’s
Human
Resources
director
retires
David W. Kutz has retired as the director of
Human Resources after nearly 29 years of
exemplary service at the AOPC.
In his 11 years as director, Kutz has worked
hard to create a work culture that allows
employees to perform their jobs unimpeded.
“We help people through some of their
worst days, but we hope to treat everyone
with respect and help as best we can,” said
Kutz.
When asked about his time as director, Kutz
expressed the immense gratitude he has for
his staff.
“I need to give credit to the team,” Kutz said.
“I’ve worked with an outstanding group of
people and I am so proud of them.”
Prior to being hired as a retirements and
benefits counselor at the AOPC in 1989,
Kutz worked at the Pennsylvania Treasury
Department for seven years as an auditing
supervisor for public schools and State
Employee Retirement Systems.
Kutz is a Cumberland County native, having
grown up and lived his whole life in the area.
Upon his retirement, Kutz said he is looking
forward to spending time traveling with his
wife and volunteering as much as he can.
“I love to talk with people when we travel,”
Kutz said. “Everybody has a story and I
love to hear them. It’s my favorite part of
traveling.”
Kutz’s notable career truly illustrates the
success that comes with compassion and
hard work.
He is confident that he is leaving his
department in the absolute best hands with
Denise S. Parise, who succeeded him as
director of Human Resources and Hiliary
Bower, as assistant director of Human
Resources.
Dave Kutz
Denise Parise
Hiliary Bower
7
How to manage a
high-profile trial
Bill Cosby exits Montgomery County Courthouse
While no court hopes to be faced with
the daunting task of managing a high-
profile trial, Montgomery and Centre
counties have found themselves
subject to this challenge recently and
are sharing the lessons learned from
their experiences.
The AOPC/Communications office
spoke with Michael R. Kehs, Esq.,
district court administrator for
Montgomery County, and Kendra J.
Miknis, district court administrator
for Centre County, to learn how they
were able to successfully manage
several high-profile cases - the
indictment of Bill Cosby, the Sandusky
trial and the death of Beta Theta Pi
pledge, Timothy Piazza at Penn State.
Kehs said that while it might seem
improbable, high-profile cases can
arise anywhere, at any time, and they
don’t necessarily have to involve
an international celebrity - a local
homicide or civil case can generate
widespread media interest just as
well.
“Our courts conduct trials every
day, but the “high profile” part
encompasses all of the other, outside
distractions. Our mindset going into
our recent high-profile trials was - let
the story be what happens inside the
courtroom, not outside of it,” Kehs
said.
“When a case attracts the
attention of local, state,
national and international
news outlets, the preparation
that goes into a typical
court hearing can change
significantly.” - Kendra Mikinis
Kehs and Miknis agreed that there
are three areas of focus that are most
important to ensure a smooth trial –
logistics, decorum orders and media
relations.
Logistics
With such an extensive amount of
media attention and public interest
surrounding them, high-profile cases
require an immense amount of
logistical planning.
“Preparing for such cases come with
early mornings and late evenings at
the courthouse, where time is often
spent planning for details like parking,
staffing, media placement, courtroom
logistics and security,” said Miknis.
Kehs also explained the logistical
challenges involved with handling the
jurors in a high-profile trial including
accommodations for their security,
transportation, hotel, food, etc.
In addition to developing a website
specific to the trial, Montgomery
County most recently worked closely
with the County Office of Public Safety
to utilize the ReadyNotify alert system
for all trial-related communications.
Kehs praised the system saying, “it
worked like a charm.”
“The alert system allowed individuals
from both the media and the public
to sign up for alerts, while avoiding
the potential for inappropriate
“responses” under a Twitter-like
account.
“Individuals received alerts via the
app, text and/or e-mail within seconds
of transmission, and in this modern
media era, every second counts,” he
said.
8
(left) Press conference outside
Montgomery County Courthouse
(right) Satellite trucks outside the
Centre County Courthouse
The Decorum Order
Miknis and Kehs both agreed that
decorum orders are another essential
part of ensuring court proceedings
run smoothly.
These orders can include issues
related to any prohibitions on
electronic devices, seating
availability, transmittal of information,
etc.
Miknis explained that decorum orders allow for the
media and public attending the hearing to have a clear
understanding of what will and will not be permitted during
the proceedings, and are crucial to maintaining order in the
courtroom.
Media Relations
“Developing a relationship with the media is critical to
successfully managing a high-profile trial,” said Kehs. “AOPC
Communications has already developed an outstanding
relationship with the media, so reach out to them for
guidance.”
In agreement with Kehs, Miknis said the most important
part of effectively preparing for a high-profile case is
having good working relationships with all parties involved,
including the media.
“Since becoming Centre County’s District Court
Administrator in 2015, I have worked with numerous visiting
and/or senior judges, Commonwealth attorneys, defense
attorneys, news personalities and news producers, and the
relationships that I have developed with these individuals
have proven to be immensely beneficial, assisting in
productive planning and consistently open communication,”
said Miknis.
While a large media presence at the trial can certainly
create logistical challenges, Kehs said that Pennsylvania’s
Newsmedia and Broadcasters Associations were extremely
helpful throughout the process and assisted the Court with
press credentialing and communication with their members.
Final Thoughts
Kehs stressed the importance of remembering that the high-
profile trial is likely not the only event taking place at the
courthouse that day, and the regular business of the Court
must continue.
“Cooperation on all fronts is critical to maintaining a sense of
normalcy in the courthouse. Everyone needs to understand
that the entire justice system is “on trial” in these cases – we
sink or swim together,” he said.
“If we do our jobs well, the story is the trial. If
we do our jobs poorly, however, we become part
of the story.” - Michael Kehs
“High-profile cases require increased attention outside the
normal amount of time, resources and planning spent on
routine court proceedings. Adjusting normal practices only
ensures that all involved remain safe, and disruptions and
unexpected situations remain minimal,” Miknis concluded.
9
Lawyer by day, hero by night
Robert Krandel Esq., legal counsel for the AOPC, has been
a volunteer firefighter for almost seven years. In January of
2011, Bob recognized a need for more volunteer firefighters
in his community and decided to answer the call.
“It was something that the community in my town really
needed,” said Krandel. “I thought if I could help, then I
should.”
Krandel said that while being a volunteer firefighter is
definitely a lot of work, it’s something he enjoys doing.
He recalled times when he’s been on a site putting out a fire
where despite atrocious living conditions, the home still had
working smoke alarms.
“It’s important to educate and engage children about fire
safety at a young age while their minds are still sponges,”
said Krandel.
Talking about the importance of having working smoke
alarms and preventing fire hazards with kids can help save
lives.
The Wall That Heals
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund unveiled a half-scale replica of
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 1996, designed to
travel to communities throughout the United States. Since its dedication,
The Wall That Heals has been on display in nearly 600 communities
throughout the nation.
The exhibit is 375 feet in length and 7.5 feet high at its tallest point.
This spring it was on display in Harrisburg and AOPC photographer Justin
Scott captured some touching moments.
10
Legislative roundup
by Damian J. Wachter, Esq.
The legislature wrapped up its spring session at the end of June and several pieces
of legislation of interest advanced or were enacted.
Domestic violence (DV) –
The governor signed legislation
allowing president judges to adopt
pretrial risk assessment tools for
use by bail-issuing authorities in
DV cases to determine whether a
defendant poses a threat of danger
to the victim and whether to admit
a defendant to bail. The Sentencing
Commission is required to develop a
model risk assessment tool, however
adoption of the model and use of
the tools by president judges is
discretionary.
Other pending legislation enacts
significant changes to the Protection
from Abuse (PFA) statute including
the:
• Creation of a new Extreme Risk
Protection Order
•
Enhancement of the firearm
relinquishment requirements
following convictions for
misdemeanor DV offenses and
the issuance of PFA orders or
consent agreements
The legislature may consider these
additional DV initiatives this fall.
Clean Slate – The legislature
expanded the “limited access”
provisions enacted in Act 5 of 2016,
allowing for the petition for removal
of criminal history record information
from public view for qualifying
misdemeanors and ungraded
offenses punishable by no more
than five years imprisonment. The
expanded petition process takes
effect Dec. 25, 2018.
Additionally, the legislature enacted
new provisions to automatically
remove criminal history record
information from public view
for second and third degree
misdemeanors, misdemeanors
punishable by no more than two
years imprisonment, summary
offenses after the passage of 10
years as well as non-conviction
information. The automatic process
will take effect June 28, 2019.
Certain offenses are exempt from
limited access and clean slate
eligibility and individuals with
extensive conviction records or
convictions for serious offenses are
ineligible. Both enactments require
the completion of all court-ordered
obligations.
Constitutional amendments for
merit selection and judicial district
elections – Both amendments
deal with the Supreme, Superior
and Commonwealth Courts. Under
the merit selection proposal, the
legislature creates three judicial
districts – eastern, middle and
western – from which the governor
appoints individuals recommended
by a nominating commission to
fill judicial vacancies. A two-thirds
Senate vote is required to confirm
appointees.
Under the judicial election proposal,
an independent commission draws
districts for the three appellate
courts. Upon expiration of a current
appellate jurist’s term, he/she runs in
a competitive election for a full term
and retention thereafter.
The process of amending the
Constitution requires the House and
Senate to pass identical resolutions
in back-to-back legislative sessions,
which has not yet happened,
followed by the passage of a ballot
question.
{Damian Wachter is the
assistant director of
Legislative Affairs.}
11
Around the Judiciary
House of Delegates
Chief Justice Thomas G. Saylor
addressed the Pennsylvania Bar
Association House of Delegates
meeting in May. During the meeting,
the Chief lead the Pennsylvania
Bar Foundation annual induction
ceremony that recognizes
contributors to the charitable
affiliate of the Pennsylvania Bar
Association.
National prescription
drug take back day
Justice Sallie Updyke Mundy
joined Tioga County Commissioner
Erick Coolidge, Wellsboro Police
Chief Jim Bodine and Region
3 Health and Human Services
director Matt Baker to recognize
National Prescription Drug Take
Back Day in April.
OCFC represents
Pennsylvania on
national opioid task
force
Office of Children and Families in
the Courts (OCFC) Director Sandra
E. Moore was named to the National
Judicial Opioid Task Force along
with judges, probation officers
and attorneys and representatives
from children and family services.
The Conference of Chief Justices
(CCJ) and the Conference of State
Court Administrators (COSCA)
established the task force to make
recommendations that address the
opioid epidemic’s ongoing impact
on the justice system.
Distinguished Sandra
Day O’Connor Award
Congratulations to Administrative
Judge Jacqueline F. Allen,
Philadelphia Court of Common
Pleas, Trial Division, on receiving
the 2018 Sandra Day O’Connor
Award during the Philadelphia Bar
Association Quarterly Meeting in
June. The Sandra Day O’Connor
Award is given annually to an
outstanding woman attorney in the
Philadelphia area who exemplifies
the qualities that Justice O’Connor
demonstrated in her life and
work such as those women who
have openly and visibly used
their position and stature in the
community to mentor, promote and
advance other women lawyers.
12
Sexual harassment and
transgender training
AOPC’s Judicial District Operations
and Programs department hosted over
50 court managers in Harrisburg for
sexual harassment and transgender
awareness training presented by
AOPC Legal staff Geri St. Joseph, Esq.
and Bob Krandel, Esq.
Problem-solving
courts recognized
Cumberland County Treatment Court
and Opioid Intervention Court both
received Community Impact awards
from the Partnership for Better
Health in June.
Congratulations
are in order
Laurie A. Sacerdote, AOPC/Research
and Statistics, has been promoted to
assistant director. Laurie’s experience
and education will assist the AOPC in
improving the quality of the Judiciary’s
data and its application to operations
and improvements related to the
administration of justice.
Andrea Tuominen
reappointed to
Women in the
Profession committee
Assistant Court Administrator of
Pennsylvania Andrea B. Tuominen,
Esq., was reappointed as co-chair of
the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s
Commission on Women in the
Profession, which evaluates the
status of women in the legal
profession and recommends
solutions to problems that prevent
women from full participation in
the workplace, responsibilities and
rewards of the legal profession.
Distinguished public
service award
On March 24, 2018, Judge Ida
K. Chen, Philadelphia Court of
Common Pleas and Osvaldo R.
Avilés, AOPC Interpreter Program
administrator, received the
Inaugural Distinguished Public
Service Award of the American
Association of Applied Linguistics
(AAAL). The award was presented
at the association’s recent
conference held in Chicago, IL.
Opening remarks at
Family Group Decision
Making conference
Justice Max Baer gave opening
remarks in Hershey at the Family
Group Decision Making (FGDM)
conference. Using a strengths-based
model, FGDM aims to unite the wider
family group, including relatives,
friends, community members and
others, to make decisions and
resolve issues together. Over 98
percent of Pennsylvania’s counties
are utilizing FGDM to engage
families in planning and service
delivery.
Appreciating
Alicia’s aid
At its June meeting, the Appellate
Court Procedural Rules Committee
thanked Alicia Hickok, Esq., for her
many years of service as counsel
to the Committee: (pictured L-R)
Kevin McKeon, past Chair; Judge
Mary Jane Bowes; Judge Patricia
McCullough; Chair; Alicia Hickok;
Judge Renee Cohn Jubelirer, past
Chair.
Advisory Council on Elder Justice in the Courts
Advisory Council on Elder Justice in the Courts at June 2018 quarterly
meeting in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
First Row, L-R: Judge Lois E. Murphy, President Judge Sheila A. Woods-
Skipper, Judge Paula Francisco Ott, Justice Debra Todd, Zygmont A. Pines,
Esq., Judge George N. Zanic.
Second Row L-R: Lisa Grayson, Esq., Keelin S. Barry, Esq., Pamela Walz, Esq.,
Diane Menio, Robert Reed, Esq., Dr. Bruce M. Bushwick, Liana Walters, Esq.,
Secretary Teresa Osborne, Pa. Dept. of Aging; Joseph M. Olimpi, Esq., and
Darren M. Breslin, Esq.
Third Row L-R: David Shallcross, Frank Lill, District Attorney Eugene A.
Vittone, II, Esq., John N. Kennedy, Esq., Art DiLoreto, Wayne M. Pecht, Esq.,
Cherstin Hamel, Rev. Ronald W. Costen, Ph.D., Esq.; Rhonda Campbell,
District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala, Jr., Esq.
Missing from photo: Sen. Art L. Haywood, Rep. Tim Hennessey, Erin E. Raub,
Mary Catherine Scott, Esq., and Attorney General Josh Shapiro.
13
Striking a pose at PJ/PACM
(Pictured L-R)
Photo A – Dominic Rossi, Esq., chief compliance officer, Legal Services, Philadelphia County; Charles A. Mapp, Sr.,
district court administrator, Philadelphia County; Kevin Cross, deputy court administrator, Philadelphia County; President
Judge Sheila A. Woods-Skipper, Philadelphia County; Mario S. D’Adamo, deputy court administrator, Family, Philadelphia
County; Maureen Eagen, Esq., director, Arbitration Center, Philadelphia County; Eric Feder, deputy court administrator,
Philadelphia County
Photo B – Denise Vicario, Esq., chief deputy court administrator, Montgomery County and Angharad Stock, Esq., deputy
court administrator, Special Courts, Allegheny County
Photo C – Amy Ceraso, Esq., director AOPC/IT, and Joe Mittleman, Esq., director AOPC/Judicial Programs
Juror appreciation event
The Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas (Administrative Judge, Civil Division, Christine Ward and Judge John T.
McVay, Jr.) held Juror Appreciation Day events at the Courthouse to recognize the contribution made by those reporting
for jury service. During the event, Sen. Jay Costa from Allegheny County presented the Court with a citation on behalf of
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, recognizing the importance of jury service.
AOPC
training
relocates
AOPC’s training
facility has moved
to the main AOPC/IT
facility on Ritter Road
in Mechanicsburg.
Ample parking is
available and clearly
marked.
The Pennsylvania Judicial
Conduct Board and the
Court of Judicial Discipline
are both celebrating their
25th anniversary this year.
Since their establishment
in 1993, both organizations
have been committed to
ensuring Pennsylvania’s
judicial system remains fair
and just by investigating
any allegations of ethical
misconduct against judges.
14
Elder abuse and exploitation
Elder Abuse and Exploitation: Practical Tools for
Assuring Access to Justice is an educational program
for judges and court staff that was developed by
the Office of Elder Justice in the Courts and Temple
University, Harrisburg. The program educates judges
and court staff to improve the handling of cases
involving elder abuse or where capacity is an issue. The
program incorporates recommended guidelines from
the American Bar Association and will be presented
regionally across the Commonwealth in the fall of 2018.
Montgomery Bar Association
Summer 1L Diversity Program
The Montgomery Bar recognized Judge Wendy
G. Rothstein at a recent reception celebrating
the 10th year of the Bar’s Summer 1L Diversity
Program. Since 2009, over 80 law students
from diverse backgrounds have participated.
Pictured left to right are Jerry Shoemaker, Carolyn
Mirabile and Mary Pugh (Montgomery County
Bar Association), Judge Wendy Rothstein, Judge
Daniel Clifford III and Judge Cheryl L. Austin.
Transitions
(Listings include changes from
3/21 to 7/23)
New to the Judicial Branch
Tammy S. Cable - Assistant Court
Administrator - Fayette County
Keisha M. Carman - Deputy Court
Administrator - Susquehanna County
Matthew D. Combs - OLS Infrastructure
Technician - IT
Jessica M. Ebert - District Court
Administrator - Sullivan/Wyoming
Counties
Janine M. Haughton - Legal Intern -
Legal
Harry L. Lorenzi - Assistant Court
Administrator - Blair County
Casey M. Scheffler - Communications
Intern - Court Administrator
Dianne S. Wainwright - Deputy Court
Administrator, Civil Division - Allegheny
County
Retirements/Resignations
Alma F. Custer - District Court
Administrator - Sullivan/Wyoming
Counties
Cynthia S. James - IT Specialist - IT
David W. Kutz - Director of Human
Resources - HR
Carol A. McNicholas - Help Desk
Operator - IT
Mary F. Moscovits - Assistant Court
Administrator - Fayette County
Kenneth L. Norton - Legal Intern - JDOP
Jacob D. Oldaker - Legal Intern
Jason D. Pileski - Senior Web Developer
- IT
Nicole O. Pressel - Budget Administrator
- Finance
Sharif M. Rizal - Server Technician - IT
Tina J. Woodley - Assistant Court
Administrator - Blair County
COMMITTEES, BOARDS
AND ADVISORY GROUPS
Hon. David J. Barton - President Judge -
Court of Judicial Discipline
Douglas McCall Bell, Esq. - Appointed -
Minor Judiciary Education Board
Elisabeth Bennington, Esq. - reappointed
- Domestic relations procedural rules
committee
Brian J. Cali, Esq. - Chair - Disciplinary
Board
Stephanie A. Domitrovich - Appointed -
IOLTA
Alan M. Feldman, Esq. - vice-Chair - IOLTA
Elizabeth A. Flaherty - Elected - Board
of Directors of the Association of
Judicial Disciplinary Counsel
Vanessa Garrett Harley, Esq. -
Appointed - IOLTA
Hon. Patricia H. Jenkins (retired) -
Appointed - Judicial Conduct Board
Hon. Jazelle M. Jones - Appointed -
Court of Judicial Discipline
Gretchen L. Kelly, Esq. - Chair - IOLTA
Robert M. Palumbos, Esq. - Reappointed
- Appellate Court Procedural Rules
Committee
Hon. Robert L. Repard. - Appointed -
Disciplinary Board
Teresa Ficken Sachs, Esq. - Appointed
- Appellate Court Procedural Rules
Committee
Hon. Henry J. Schireson - Reappointed -
Vice Chair - Minor Judiciary Education
Board
Stella L. Smetanka, Esq. - Reappointed -
IOLTA
Hon. Carolyn Engel Temin - Appointed -
Criminal Procedural Rules Committee
Andrew J. Trevelise, Esq.- Vice-Chair -
Disciplinary Board
15
601 Commonwealth Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Call for Entries
AOPConnected is always looking for stories.
Do you know of a court-related community project or award?
Contact the AOPC Communications Office with the scoop!
Email: CommunicationsOffice@pacourts.us
Miss an issue?
Check out our newsletter archive online at
http://www.pacourts.us/judicial-administration/office-
of-communications-and-intergovernmental-relations/
aopconnected
