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Official newsletter of the
Pennsylvania Judicial System
Issue 2, 2022
In this issue
Read about the upcoming celebration of the Pennsylvania Supreme
Court’s 300th anniversary and recent efforts to show support for
Autism Acceptance Month, some of the early successes of the
Guardianship Tracking System, county court highlights and more.
1
Pa. Supreme Court
Creates Autism in the
Courts Taskforce
Following the statewide Autism in the Courts listening
tour, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has created a
taskforce focused on issues affecting justice-involved
individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities.
Partnering with the Office of Children and Families in the
Courts (OCFC) and led by Justice Kevin Dougherty
Kevin Dougherty on
behalf of the Supreme Court, the taskforce will provide
increased training opportunities for judges, help further
identify gaps in the system for individuals with autism and
create a local roadmap to resources and services.
“By creating a taskforce and partnering with the OCFC
who work primarily with youth in the dependency court
system, we’re positioning ourselves to better assist those
who need it before they enter the court system,” Justice
Dougherty said.
Led by Justice Dougherty, members of the taskforce
include judges from different counties across the state,
Children and Youth Services (CYS) county directors,
hearing officers, state partners (including Juvenile Court
Judges' Commission and Pa. Department of Human
Services, etc.), as well as representatives from AOPC
Communications and OCFC.
Margaret T. Murphy, Philadelphia
Hugh McGough, Allegheny
Jennifer Rogers, Luzerne
Mitchell Shahen, Beaver
Ryan Tira, Lycoming
Linda Cordaro, Fayette
Judges on the Autism in the Courts Taskforce:
• Judge Margaret T. Murphy
• Judge Hugh McGough
• Judge Jennifer Rogers
• Judge Mitchell Shahen
• Judge Ryan Tira
• Judge Linda Cordaro
• President Judge Maureen Skerda
• Judge Michael Sholley
• President Judge Stephen Minor
Michael Sholley, Snyder/Union
Stephen Minor, Potter.
Maureen Skerda, Forest/ Warren
At the end of March, the group of nearly thirty members
attended the first Pennsylvania Autism in the Dependency
Court Taskforce Summit.
From doctors explaining neurodiversity and the
opportunities it brings, to staff from state agencies
describing the resources and services available to youth
– the three-day summit covered a vast variety of topics
and provided taskforce members with a range of different
perspectives.
A particularly informative session featured a panel of
parents who discussed the challenges and rewards in
parenting a youth with autism or being a parent with
“Our goal is to bring
together top thought leaders,
advocates and practitioners
from the courts, autism
and intellectual disabilities
communities, advocates
and children and youth
professionals so that we can
continue working to develop a
framework within the courts
to assist those in need.”
Justice Kevin Dougherty
autism, and what things are important for courts to know
and consider as they interact with children and parents.
In 2020, the Supreme Court first signaled its commitment
to Pennsylvanians with autism by forming a first-of-its-kind
partnership with the Pa. Department of Human Services
to heighten the focus on helping judges better understand
and communicate with individuals with autism.
more information
For more information about the Autism in the Courts effort
visit https://www.pacourts.us/learn/autism-and-the-courts.
2
Pa Courts Celebrate Autism Acceptance
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania promoted Autism Acceptance Month throughout the court system, encouraging
judges and court staff to join them in showing support for those with autism by wearing blue on April 12.
3
Editors
Stacey Witalec
Kim Bathgate
Writer
Casey Scheffler
Contributors
Patti Campbell
Rhonda Hocker
Stephen Baldwin
Graphic Design
Gretchen Smith
Photography
Kyle Kauffman
Court Administrator of PA
Geoff Moulton
Deputy Court Administrator of PA
Andrea B. Tuominen
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:
www.pacourts.us
Twitter @PACourts
Facebook @pennsylvaniacourts
YouTube @PACourts
Instagram @pennsylvaniacourts
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Max Baer
Chief Justice of Pennsylvania
Debra Todd
Justice
Christine Donohue
Justice
Kevin M. Dougherty
Justice
David N. Wecht
Justice
Sallie Updyke Mundy
Justice
P. Kevin Brobson
Justice
Pa. Supreme Court Celebrates
300th Anniversary
This May will mark the official 300th anniversary of the Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania.
To celebrate and commemorate the occasion, the Court will hold a series of
events during the third week of the month aimed at highlighting the Court’s
unique role and how its decisions affect every Pennsylvanian.
“Created on May 22, 1722, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is older than
the U.S. Supreme Court and has played an important role in the history of the
Commonwealth beginning long before the Declaration of Independence was
drafted here. The other justices and I very much look forward to participating
in this historic milestone,” Chief Justice Max Max BaerBaer said.
The events will include a special Supreme Court Argument Session at Old
City Hall in Philadelphia, as well as a two-day Symposium at the National
Constitution Center – which will review key aspects of the Court's history,
jurisprudence and role in today’s society.
The panel members will include the Justices of the PA Supreme Court, the
Chief Justices of South Carolina, Ohio and Rhode Island, the former Chief
Judge of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals D. Brooks Smith, Pennsylvania
Thomas G. Saylor, and retired United States Supreme
Chief Justice Emeritus Thomas G. Saylor
Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, as well as prominent legal scholars and
members of the bar.
The symposium is eligible for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and
Continuing Judicial Education (CJE) credits for any lawyer or judge who
attends and completes the registration process through AOPC/Judicial
Education.
A special webpage dedicated to the Court’s 300th anniversary has been
created and hosts background and historical information about the Court and
each justice, details for the upcoming events, 3D tours of the state’s Supreme
Courtrooms and more.
Visit the page at https://www.pacourts.us/learn/history/celebrating-300-years.
Follow the #Supreme300
Twitter @PACourts.
#Supreme300 campaign on Facebook @PennsylvaniaCourts and
4
The Early Successes of GTS
Since the implementation of the Guardianship Tracking
System (GTS), counties have seen the real-world impact it
has had on some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens.
Perhaps one of the most instrumental features of the
GTS is its ability to provide information to courts in near
real time when a guardian is removed from a case due
to abuse, neglect or financial exploitation. The GTS also
automatically flags potential concerns of loss and neglect
on reports filed annually by the guardian(s). The flag logic
promotes a uniform protocol for courts to review filed
guardianship reports and enhance the ability to monitor
guardianship cases.
There have been many success stories that have emerged
from the field over the past couple of years in which the
GTS has played a crucial role in protecting the lives of
incapacitated Pennsylvanians.
In York County…
In York County…
When a professional guardian who was appointed on
guardianship cases in many counties was charged with
crimes related to financial malfeasance, Orphans’ Court
Judge Clyde Vetter
Clyde Vetter issued an alert in GTS, allowing the
AOPC to work fast to notify the local courts in 16 counties.
“We were very quickly, literally within minutes, able
to generate a comprehensive list of all the impacted
guardianship cases, and we were able to follow up with
counties until the guardian was removed (in compliance
with the bail conditions) and a successor was appointed
on each case,” AOPC/IT Analyst Manager Amy Whitworth
Amy Whitworth
said. “This would have been very difficult, and may not
have been possible at all, without the GTS.”
In Dauphin County…
In Dauphin County…
When the Office of Elder Justice in the Courts (OEJC)
received information from a long-term care pharmacy
company concerned that a guardian was not making
regular payments for an incapacitated person’s
medication, the GTS again allowed for a quick response.
Once notified by the OEJC, court staff were able to
quickly find the case and identify all other cases to which
the guardian in question had been appointed.
Orphans’ Court Judge John Cherry
alert, thereby immediately notifying every orphans’ court
in which the guardian had an active case(s).
John Cherry issued a statewide
In Luzerne County…
In Luzerne County…
In Luzerne County, Orphans’ Court Judge Richard M.
Richard M.
Hughes III
Hughes III was alerted by the GTS that a guardian was
overdue on mandatory annual reporting. After the
guardian refused to respond to the court’s order to file
reports, Judge Hughes asked the police to conduct
a wellness check on the incapacitated person. The
incapacitated person was found to be homeless because
his guardian - his sister - had abandoned him in Wilkes-
Barre’s public square.
Thanks to Judge Hughes’ action on information provided
by the GTS, a potential tragedy was averted. He removed
the sister as guardian and appointed a successor
guardian who located services for the incapacitated
person.
In Butler County…
In Butler County…
A guardian in Butler County was caught transferring over
$134,000 in assets out of an incapacitated person’s estate
without proper authority.
Flagging the unauthorized gift expense, the GTS allowed
for a quick response by the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court
Sarah Edwards, who immediately reported the concern to
Sarah Edwards
a judge.
Keys to success
Keys to success
As is the case with the AOPC’s other statewide systems,
the GTS has helped to unify court processing for
guardianships. Counties have established or are working
toward optimizing a report review protocol, and guardians
who work across multiple counties now interact with
all orphans’ courts through a standard, electronic-filing
platform and process.
“The real success story of the GTS is the
impact it has had in actively promoting
a conversation around guardianship
monitoring, shining a light on cases that
may not have received much attention,”
Whitworth explained.
“Counties have become more actively engaged with
guardians and improved their experiences and level
of support while providing more oversight to better
secure the well-being and financial assets of our
Commonwealth’s most vulnerable citizens.”
5
Supported Decision-Making: An Alternative to Guardianship
The benefits of SDM
The benefits of SDM
The SDM process not only helps enhance the rights of
individuals who might otherwise have been subjected
to a guardianship, but its use can also avoid numerous
unnecessary court proceedings and save all parties time
and money.
Certain judges and state courts, along with related
agencies and organizations, have been instrumental in
expanding the knowledge and use of SDM. Chief Justice
Nathan Hecht of the Texas Supreme Court led the effort to
pass the country’s first SDM statute in 2015.
As SDM continues to attract interest and grow in use,
the Advisory Council and OEJC are discussing efforts to
promote it in Pennsylvania.
The Montgomery County Elder Access to Justice
Roundtable, along with the AOPC, OEJC and the Advisory
Council, will hold a hybrid roundtable event to explore
SDM and other alternatives to guardianships.
The all-day event will be held on Friday, June 17 at the
Villanova Conference Center and will be simultaneously
livestreamed via Zoom.
Panels of experts and breakout sessions throughout the
day will offer in-depth discussions on less restrictive
alternatives to guardianship – including mediation,
restorative justice, SDM, community supports and legal
alternatives.
Continuing Legal Education credits (CLEs) will be available
for Pennsylvania attorneys who attend, and social workers
and certified guardians may receive Continuing Education
Units (CEUs).
Register here:
Register here:
https://montcoelderjustice2022.eventbrite.com
During their March meeting, the Office of Elder Justice in
the Courts (OEJC) and Advisory Council on Elder Justice in
the Courts (Advisory Council) heard from a guest speaker
about an alternative to guardianship that has been gaining
nationwide attention in recent years.
Nina Kohn, professor at Syracuse University College
of Law, discussed the emerging practice of supported
decision-making (SDM) as an option for judges and courts
to consider in instances where individuals who might
otherwise be unable to make their own decisions (due to
cognitive impairments, etc.) do so with support from others.
Relationship
Relationship
and and
Friendship
Friendship
Health and
Health and
Wellness
Wellness
Where to
Where to
LiveLive
Upcoming
Upcoming
Career and
Career and
Education
Education
Decisions
Decisions
How SDM works
How SDM works
$
Financial
Financial
SDM allows individuals in need of assistance to make
choices about their own lives with support from a person
or team of people they choose and trust. After identifying
the areas in which assistance is needed, the individual
chooses supporters and together they may execute a
supported decision-making agreement.
The network of trusted supporters – who can be family
members, co-workers, friends, past or present service
providers, etc. – present the pros and cons of any
decision to be made and help individuals understand the
ramifications of their choices.
The role of the courts
The role of the courts
Although Pennsylvania does not currently have a statute
specifically recognizing the enforceability of a written
supported decision-making agreement, the guardianship
statute recognizes that individuals may not need a
guardian when family or community support is available
and adequate to assist them in making their own decisions.
Courts are required by statute to give serious
consideration to whether family and community support
can meet the needs of an incapacitated or partially
incapacitated person without the need for guardianship.
6
(l) Dauphin County Judge William Tully presents Veterans Court graduate Christopher Hodges a plaque and challenge coin at the
ceremony in March. (r) Justice P. Kevin Brobson at the Dauphin County Veterans Court graduation ceremony in March.
Dauphin County Veterans Courts Celebrates 10th Anniversary
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Dauphin
County Veterans Treatment Court since the program first
started in January 2012.
On March 4, the Court commemorated the occasion
holding a ceremony at the Dauphin County courthouse to
celebrate the graduation of two court participants.
Dauphin County Veterans Treatment Court Judge William
William
T. Tully
T. Tully presided over the ceremony, attended by Pa.
Supreme Court Justice P. Kevin Brobson
P. Kevin Brobson who gave
remarks on behalf of his colleagues on the Court.
Speaking to the graduates, Justice Brobson said,
“Together, you’ve added important chapters to the stories
of your lives – moments which now provide hope for those
still struggling.”
“Ten years from now you’ll look back on this moment and
realize how far you’ve come, and I hope you’ll always
remember the significance of your story and the people
who got you to this point.”
Over the past ten years, 123 veterans have been admitted
to Dauphin County Veterans Treatment Court and 82
have graduated. Veteran participants have included those
from Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Operation Enduring Freedom/
Operation Iraqi Freedom, Grenada, the Korean War and
others.
Pa. Problem-Solving Courts Study Shows
Reduction in Recidivism and Statewide Costs
According to a recent study,
Pennsylvania’s Problem-Solving
Courts programs have resulted in
increased success for participants
and significant cost savings to
taxpayers.
According to the report all
Pennsylvania DUI Courts showed
reductions in recidivism for all charge
types at three-year post entry, with
the overall reduction in recidivism for
DUI court participants at 36 percent.
Supported in part by a grant from the
U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of
Justice Assistance, the AOPC worked
with NPC Research to perform a
statewide study of Pennsylvania’s
Adult Drug Treatment Courts (ATCs)
and Driving Under the Influence
Courts (DUI) between 2013 and 2018.
In commissioning the study, the
AOPC charged NPC Research with
evaluating program costs and
measuring outcomes including those
related to participant recidivism.
Statewide, DUI courts saved more
than $8.5 million for the three years
after program entry as a result of
fewer rearrests, court cases and
person and property victimization,
according to the study results.
The study also found that a majority
of Pennsylvania’s ATCs showed
reductions in recidivism by more
than 75 percent in some programs,
with a majority demonstrating better
results than comparison groups for
all rearrests.
7
Like DUI Courts, ATCs have saved
nearly $50 million statewide over
three years due to decreased arrests,
fewer court dates, jail days saved
and victimizations due to person or
property crimes.
Read the full report here.
Legislative roundup by Damian J. Wachter, Esq.
The following enactments and legislative action have occurred since mid-February. Because
The following enactments and legislative action have occurred since mid-February. Because
of the upcoming general primary election that will occur on May 17, both chambers have a
of the upcoming general primary election that will occur on May 17, both chambers have a
limited session schedule the remainder of April and May. After the primary, the legislature will
limited session schedule the remainder of April and May. After the primary, the legislature will
turn its attention to the budget in June.
turn its attention to the budget in June.
Constitutional Amendments
Constitutional Amendments
Supreme Court Rulemaking
Supreme Court Rulemaking
Prior Passage – None
Prior Passage – None
Pennsylvania Judicial Center” no
later than Mar. 1, 2023. “Operations”
is not defined by the bill.
Constitutional Amendments
Constitutional Amendments
Spending Limits
Spending Limits
Prior Passage – None
Prior Passage – None
House Bill 1910 amends Article V,
Section 10 (c), seeking to curb the
rulemaking authority of the Supreme
Court. While the Court would retain
authority, the General Assembly
could occupy a specific space of
rulemaking if it were to pass and the
governor signs legislation to that
effect. The bill also repeals current
language requiring that “laws shall
be suspended to the extent that
they are inconsistent with rules
prescribed...”. The legislation was
reported from the House Judiciary
Committee on a 15-10 party line vote.
Appellate Court Operations
Appellate Court Operations
House Bill 2066 amends the
Administrative Code to require the
AOPC to “transfer the operations of
the Supreme Court, Commonwealth
Court and Superior Court to the
The legislation outlines the duties of
the AOPC to facilitate the transfer,
including terminating leases and
selling any building used for the
operation of the three courts, and
other necessary action. The bill
was reported from House State
Government on a 15-10 party line
vote.
Constitutional Amendments
Constitutional Amendments
Redistricting by Court
Redistricting by Court
Prior Passage – None
Prior Passage – None
Senate Bill 1166 amends Article II,
adding a section limiting the effect
of a Congressional map “devised
and drawn by a court or by a person
directed by a court to devise the
congressional map” to the election
cycle for which the map was
drawn. Reported from Senate State
Government on a 7-4 party line vote.
8
House Bill 71 amends Article VIII,
adding a subsection requiring the
spending limit for any fiscal year
to be equal to the spending during
the immediately prior fiscal year,
adjusted by a formula outlined in the
bill that would be enshrined in the
constitution. Reported from House
Appropriations on a 22-15 party line
vote.
Determinate Sentences for Title 75
Determinate Sentences for Title 75
Summary Offenses
Summary Offenses
The legislation seeks to address
Commonwealth v. Eid, 249 A.3d
1030 (Pa.2021), wherein the Supreme
Court held that 75 Pa.C.S. § 1543 (b)
(1.1)(i) is unconstitutionally vague.
Senate Bill 1031 amends Titles 42
and 75, allowing a court to impose a
determinate sentence for summary
offenses under the Vehicle Code. The
furnishings, district and capitol office
expenses, official expenses, and
special expenses, miscellaneous
expenses of standing and special
committees.
Additional information required
includes the member or individual for
whom the expense was submitted,
paid, and reimbursed, the date the
expense was incurred, submitted,
paid, and reimbursed, the legislative
purpose for the expense, and the
account from which the expense was
paid or reimbursed. Reported from
House State Government 25-0.
House Bill 746 creates the State-
Owned Vehicle Assignment Act,
prohibiting the assigning of a state-
owned vehicle to a state official or
the expenditure of Commonwealth
funds to lease a vehicle on behalf of
a state official. The term state official
is narrowly tailored in the bill to
include only members of the General
Assembly. Passed the House 183-16.
Term Limits – District Attorney (DA) in
Term Limits – District Attorney (DA) in
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
House Bill 2238 amends the First-
Class City Home Rule Act, limiting
the Philadelphia DA to two, four-
year terms. The language makes
the current DA, who is currently in
his second term, ineligible for an
additional term. Reported from the
House Judiciary Committee on a 14-11
generally party line vote.
{Damian Wachter, Esq.
is the acting director of
Legislative Affairs.}
legislation also modifies sentences
for certain violations under Section
1543 – driving while operating
privilege is suspended – so to set
a determinative sentence. The bill
was reported unanimously from the
Senate Transportation Committee.
House Bill 2106 is similar, though not
identical to Senate Bill 1031. It was
reported from the House Judiciary
Committee 20-5.
Family Finding
Family Finding
House Bill 1866 amends titles
42 and 67, requiring that during
a permanency hearing, a court
must determine whether transition
planning and services are being
provided and, for children 18
years of age, determine whether a
suitable transition plan has been
presented. In cases where the child
will be placed in another planned
permanency arrangement approved
by the court, the county agency
must identify at least two significant
connections with supportive adults.
The bill clarifies the legislative intent
of family finding to ensure that each
child leaving foster care at 18 years
of age and older is prepared for
transition to successful adulthood
and updates the definition of family
finding to reflect current practice. It
also defines the terms permanency
plan and transition plan. The
legislation provides for new statutory
sections specifically governing
permanency and transition plans
and services and requires county
agencies to submit data to DHS for a
child 18 years of age and older at the
time the court terminates jurisdiction
over the child.
Crime Victims
Crime Victims
House Bill 2464 amends the Crime
Victims Act (CVA), providing legal
standing to a crime victim “to assert
and enforce a right enumerated in
the [CVA] or any other right afforded
to the victim by law in a trial or
appellate court or before an official
body with jurisdiction over the
victim’s case.” The bill is not intended
to grant a victim party status, provide
grounds for the accused to obtain
any form of relief in the proceeding
in which the individual is accused,
or create a cause of action for
compensation or damages against
the commonwealth, a political
subdivision, officer, employee
or agent of the commonwealth,
a political subdivision or an
officer or employee of a court.
The commonwealth is prohibited
from asserting a waiver on behalf
of the victim in the absence of
demonstrating the victim has
knowingly agreed.
House Bill 2525 amends Title 18,
adding a subchapter to the Criminal
History Record Information chapter to
allow a crime victim or his/her legal
representative to obtain criminal
history investigative information for
use in, or investigation of, an actual
or potential civil action relating to
the criminal history investigative
information.
The bill outlines provisions governing
access, including request, service,
dissemination, and receipt of
information, denial, and judicial
review of denial, and limits the
dissemination of otherwise privileged
information. The legislation requires
the promulgation of rules and
regulations by the attorney general
and the Supreme Court.
Concurrent Jurisdiction to Prosecute
Concurrent Jurisdiction to Prosecute
– Firearm Offenses
– Firearm Offenses
House Bill 2275 amends Title 18,
reauthorizing and extending the
timeframe under which the attorney
general has concurrent jurisdiction to
prosecute certain firearm offenses in
Philadelphia until Dec. 31, 2025. The
legislation was reported from House
Judiciary Committee on a 15-10 party
line vote.
Legislative Expenses and Vehicles
Legislative Expenses and Vehicles
House Bill 2449 amends the
Legislative Officers and Employees
Law, requiring the chief clerks of
the Senate and House to quarterly
post a list of expenses on a publicly
accessible Internet website. Covered
expenses include per diems, travel
allowances and reimbursements,
meals and lodging, equipment and
9
New Interpreter Program Director
Osvaldo Aviles as
Following the retirement of Osvaldo Aviles
director of the AOPC’s Interpreter Certification
Program (ICP) in March, Interpreter Program
Coordinator Natalia Petrova
of director on April 4.
Natalia Petrova assumed the role
Natalia has been an instrumental member of
the ICP since joining the AOPC in 2012.
A state court certified interpreter in New Jersey and
Pennsylvania, she has diverse experience as an
interpreter, translator and interpreter trainer.
Natalia is also a certified Russian medical interpreter.
Among her many responsibilities with the ICP, Natalia
coordinates interpreter orientation workshops, written
and oral exams each year. As part of the ICP’s continued
efforts to recruit potential candidates, she plans and
conducts outreach events and trainings. She is a go-to on
all interpreter-related questions.
In her spare time, she loves hiking, cross-country skiing
and volunteering as a reforester at a local nature
preserve. She is an active member of the American
Translators Association and on the Board of Directors at
Delaware Valley Translators Association.
Please join us in congratulating Natalia and welcoming
her into this new role!
Berks Bar Association Helps Prepare
Future Court Interpreters
This past fall, the Berks County Bar Association
once again sponsored an interpreting skills
training program for individuals in the process of
becoming a certified court interpreter.
The program consists of 14 evening training
sessions held in the greater Reading area.
In December, Interpreter Program Coordinator
Natalia Petrova
Natalia Petrova delivered the last session along
with a mock exam tailored to prepare candidates
for the oral proficiency exams.
One of the six participants who went on to take
the Interpreter Certification Program (ICP) exam
has recently become fully certified in Spanish.
(l to r) Natalia Petrova and Berks County
Bar program participant/recently certified
Pennsylvania court interpreter, Arturo Bobea
more INFORMATION
For more info about the Interpreter Certification Program, visit
https://www.pacourts.us/judicial-administration/court-programs/interpreter-program.
10
OCFC Expands Family Engagement Initiative;
Develops New Judicial Resources
Continuing its efforts to enhance meaningful family
involvement in Pennsylvania’s child dependency system,
the Office of Children and Families in the Courts (OCFC)
recently developed and released new online resources for
attorneys and judges navigating the system.
Family Engagement Initiative – Phase 4
Family Engagement Initiative – Phase 4
Established by the Pennsylvania State Roundtable
in 2017, Pennsylvania’s Family Engagement Initiative
(FEI) is designed to assist select counties in furthering
collaborative efforts between the judiciary and child
welfare agency.
OCFC developed this online training session for attorneys
practicing in dependency court—guardians ad litem, child
counsel, parent attorneys and solicitors.
The session provides information that can help attorneys
understand common issues and better advocate for
clients. Issues like trauma, safety, visitation, child
development, family finding and family group decision
making are not topics taught in law school, but attorneys
need to understand when participating in dependency
court.
Benchbook Resource Companion
Benchbook Resource Companion
Earlier this year, three more counties joined the expanding
initiative – Bradford, Lycoming and Washington – bringing
the current total number of participating counties to 18.
In February, the second edition of the Pennsylvania
Benchbook Resource Companion was released.
The long-term goal of the initiative is to increase the
likelihood that children will safely remain in their own
home or will be placed with family if out-of-home
placement is necessary.
All participating FEI counties must have demonstrated
strong court/child welfare agency collaboration and
a desire to enhance family engagement strategies to
produce the best possible outcomes for children and
families in the child welfare system.
Online Training for Attorneys
Online Training for Attorneys
Core One: An Attorney’s Introduction to Pennsylvania’s
Dependency System
11
The new resource companion contains an updated
collection of social science resources and three new topic
sections – Autism, Implicit Bias and Reasonable Efforts.
Revised by the Pennsylvania Dependency Benchbook
Committee, a group of seasoned trial court judges
overseeing dependency proceedings, the resource
companion is intended to provide judges with a
compilation of social science resources, pertinent to their
work in dependency court, that can be easily accessed.
While this resource was created by judges for judges, all
of those involved in Pennsylvania’s child dependency
system are encouraged to access and utilize this resource.
Caseload highlights during the pandemic
For the past two years, the AOPC/
Research and Statistics department
has monitored and reported monthly
caseload statistics for all levels of court
in Pennsylvania via the AOPC Caseload
Highlights Report.
What began as a monthly update to
state and county leadership has led to
an interactive, publicly available data
dashboard that is the definitive source
of information on Pennsylvania court
caseloads from pre-pandemic, “baseline”
years to the present.
The report is a collaboration between
AOPC/Research, AOPC/IT, the appellate
court prothonotaries, district court
administrators, the county prothonotaries,
clerks of court and Orphans’ Court and
Philadelphia Municipal Court.
While the statistics are preliminary, they provide
an accurate representation of the direction and
magnitude of changes in monthly caseloads. The
report also serves as an “early warning” of developing case backlogs by displaying changes in pending caseloads and
case clearance rates (a.k.a., the number of existing cases going out as compared to the number of new cases coming in.)
12
(continued)
The first edition was released in June 2020. With very few exceptions, case filings declined during the early months of
the pandemic – some moderately, others sharply. In Common Pleas Courts, criminal filings immediately dropped by over
80 percent, while civil filings fell by more than 70 percent. In the lower courts, traffic filings decreased over 80 percent,
while landlord/tenant filings were 97 percent lower than pre-pandemic, baseline levels.
Some case types have partially rebounded or stabilized compared to pre-pandemic levels, while others continue to
decrease.
Ongoing monitoring of caseload patterns detected particular increases in Common Pleas credit card debt collection
cases and criminal weapons offenses.
Also observed was a steep drop in residential
mortgage foreclosure filings, which persists today.
Building on the model developed for the Caseload
Highlights Report, in mid-2021 the AOPC/Research
and Statistics department began producing a
weekly AOPC Landlord-Tenant Report in order to
track eviction filings, dispositions and cases pending
following the expiration of federal and state eviction
moratoria. Published as a data dashboard, this report
serves as a tool for MDJs in the monitoring and
management of landlord/tenant matters.
The annotated chart on the next page illustrates
the sharp decline in monthly landlord/tenant filings
early in the pandemic and the partial “rebound” that
occurred in late 2021 (Magisterial District Courts and
Philadelphia Municipal Court).
13
(continued)
Producing these reports has strengthened AOPC’s partnerships with judicial district administration and county row office
personnel, who have shared interest in obtaining timely caseload statistics to inform decision making.
Employee Burnout: How It Happens
and What You Can Do to Help
Written by Life Advantages - Author Dr. Delvina Miremadi ©2022
Reprinted with permission from BHS Focus.
Employee burnout happens in every
workplace. Workers may start the
job as enthusiastic employees, and
then turn into problem people who
show up late or don’t show up at all.
If you know of workers who have
lost motivation for their jobs and
show signs of apathy, they may be
experiencing employee burnout.
A worker can experience burnout
due to a great amount of stress;
this stress can be job-related, but it
can also be a result of great levels
of stress at home. The important
thing to remember is that employee
burnout can be reversed and there
are things managers and employers
can do to help an employee get back
on track.
How Does Burnout Happen?
How Does Burnout Happen?
Burnout occurs when a person is
placed under stress for a long time.
Oftentimes, the person is physically
and/or emotionally exhausted, and
no longer functions like he or she
used to. If an employee has been
placed in a demanding situation at
work or at home, the person may
suffer symptoms of burnout as a
result, especially if the stress is
persistent and ongoing.
An employee may experience
burnout if he or she was passed
over for a promotion or overworked
without recognition, or if there is
continual change in a department.
An internal inability to set
appropriate boundaries may also
contribute to burnout. For instance,
employees might bring too much
work home with them.
Recognizing Employee Burnout
Recognizing Employee Burnout
Burnout symptoms are:
• A change in work habit or
attitude
Loss of enthusiasm or motivation
•
• Absenteeism or tardiness
• Negative reactions or comments
•
• Health problems
• Drug or alcohol use
Emotional outbursts
Additionally, as an employer or
supervisor, there are steps that can
be taken to help avoid employee
burnout affecting the workplace:
14
•
If your company is downsizing,
readjust workloads in creative
ways. Ask employees for input,
and see which tasks they would
prefer to do and which tasks they
would like to avoid.
• Give ample notice about
changes in positions or tasks. If
downsizing has occurred, firm
up schedules to give a sense of
routine and continuity.
• Redistribute workloads if
•
•
employees seem overwhelmed.
Listen to employees and try to
counsel them the best you can.
Pay attention to what motivates
each individual employee and
utilize that when assigning
projects.
• Understand your personality
•
style and be aware of how that
can play a role with individual
employee communication.
Schedule after-work events to
boost employees’ spirits.
• Refer employees to resources
provided by your Employee
Assistance Program (EAP).
Pa. Judges Address Civic Engagement
During Black History Month
In recognition of Black History Month, the Pennsylvania
Courts hosted a one-hour Facebook Live event on Feb. 23
with a diverse panel of judges to discuss the importance
of civic engagement.
Moderated by Pa. House Rep. Jordan Harris, judges
described how opportunities to interact with the
community can help empower youth and/or those
transitioning from the court system.
Participant judges included Superior Court Judge Carolyn
Carolyn
Nichols
Kim Berkeley
Nichols, Allegheny County President Judge Kim Berkeley
ClarkClark, Allegheny County Common Pleas Court Judge
Nicola Henry-Taylor
Michael Muth
Nicola Henry-Taylor, Monroe County MDJ Michael Muth
Charles Hayden.
and Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge Charles Hayden
For anyone interested in watching, the event was
recorded and available on the PA Courts YouTube page.
Screenshot from PA Courts: An Important Discussion on Civic Engagement via FB Live
Some judges like Delaware County
Common Pleas Judge Tinu Moss
Tinu Moss
exemplified the message of civic
engagement, taking to the classroom
to engage directly with children in her
community.
Participating in Read Across America Day
in early March, she read to students at
Ardmore Avenue, Bell Avenue and Walnut
Elementary Schools.
Judge Moss, as with every judge who
is active in their community, is allowing
children to see themselves represented in
positions of power at a young age – and
that can make a world of difference.
Screenshot of Judge Moss reading to students
15
Women Helping
Women
When asked by a friend to join her on a
mission to help under-privileged women,
Soumya Krishnamurthi
AOPC/IT Manager Soumya Krishnamurthi
did not hesitate to say yes.
Professional Women and Women
Entrepreneurs (POWER) is a nonprofit
dedicated to helping fellow women reach
their goals. Soumya and a group of her
friends, including the now founder and
chairman of POWER, continue to carry
through that mission today.
“POWER creates an environment and
platform for South Asian and American
women to come together and provide
information, guidance and opportunities to
help achieve each other’s goals,” Soumya
said.
“Not all Asian and American women have
the means to explore and get proper insight
into education, business, jobs, political and
social opportunities. POWER provides that
opportunity and support to women to help
them grow into self-driven educators and
providers in the community.”
Soumya has served in various roles since
the organization’s inception in 2018 –
including as secretary of POWER for two
years, and now in both advisory and public
relations roles.
As secretary, she was responsible for
planning and hosting POWER’s many
annual charity events.
“Every year, as part of our International
Women’s Day celebration, we pick a theme
based on world events and/or current affairs,
invite speakers who are experts in that field
to speak at the event, and donate funds
raised to an organization that is associated
with the theme. As an example, the theme
for 2020 was Autism and Parkinson’s
awareness, primarily because not many
Asian Indian families feel comfortable
opening-up about their kids being on the
autistic spectrum,” Soumya said.
“The purpose of the event was to get them
to feel comfortable about it and connect
them to the right people. Funds raised were
donated to the Applied Behavioral Analysis
(ABA) in PA Initiative and the American
Parkinson Disease Association.”
Soumya Krishnamurthi pictured on far right.
“As an immigrant woman I am well aware of the
difficulties women face on a daily basis here. I was
fortunate enough to grow up in a well-educated,
affluent family and did not have to struggle through
each step of life. Not everyone is as fortunate.
POWER’s mission aligns with how I feel about giving
back to society and helping women.”
Soumya Krishnamurthi
Soumya Krishnamurthi
While some annual events like the International Women’s Day dinner and
the Mother’s Day Walk/Run offer a fun way to raise funds, POWER also
organizes events that administer direct aid to communities. Each October,
the organization sets up a medical camp for refugees and the under-
privileged – an event coordinated by Soumya.
Most recently, Soumya spearheaded and coordinated an event to
introduce girls to the STEM field and encourage them to try their hand
at coding, partnering with a local women-owned small business called
Code Ninjas.
more information:
To learn more about POWER visit
http://power-women.org/
16
Pa. Courts Celebrate Women’s History Month
https://vimeo.com/688956177/1ab66af950
Men on Mission
video
video
In recognition of
Women's History
Month in March, AOPC/
Communications
produced a short video
featuring many of the
inspiring women that
make up our courts.
The Pa. Courts recently
released a video
highlighting the “Men
on Mission” program at
Penn Wood High School
that allows community
leaders like Delaware
County Magisterial
District Judge W. Keith
W. Keith
Williams II to lend
Williams II
advice, support and
guidance to the younger
generation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzzME_NkHaI
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PENNSYLVANIA’S COURTS, VISIT:
www.pacourts.us
Facebook
@pennsylvaniacourts
YouTube
@PACourts
Twitter
@PACourts
Instagram
@pennsylvaniacourts
17
De-escalation of Volatile Encounters
The experience of going to court is daunting and
frustrating for many individuals, and when exacerbated
by issues related to mental health, trauma or stress – a
situation may become volatile.
For this reason, the AOPC/Judicial District Security
developed a training program via WebEx on “Effective
De-Escalation Strategies for Volatile Encounters.”
The one-hour program is designed specifically for judges,
district court administrators and court personnel.
Led by AOPC/Judicial Security Administrator Rob Granzow
Rob Granzow
and Assistant Director Kyle Ramberger
provides judges and court staff with basic strategies for
preventing volatile encounters and effective techniques
for de-escalating those situations should they arise.
Kyle Ramberger, the webinar
The program describes common behaviors and
conditions associated with volatile encounters and equips
participants with tools for handling these interactions both
in person, and via phone or email.
Throughout the webinar, Granzow uses his own
experience to illustrate the progression of a hostile
encounter and how to strategically avoid specific
language and behaviors that might inflame an already
distressed individual.
When dealing with a court user who appears frustrated
or distraught, absolute attentiveness and active listening
are essential attributes in order to prevent the possible
perception of insincerity that might further aggravate
them.
Some tips for dealing with agitated individuals:
• Patience and resolute professionalism are key.
• Maintain eye contact and professional facial
expressions.
• Keep a low and calm voice.
In addition to providing some ways to calm down a
tense situation, the training offers some techniques for
court staff to adopt that may help to prevent a volatile
encounter from occurring in the first place.
For example, extending a courteous and sincere greeting
to all court users can set a favorable tone for ensuing
interactions.
AOPC/Judicial Security hosts this WebEx several times
every year. Judicial districts may request a presentation
by contacting the office at JudicialSecurity@pacourts.us.
Continuing Judicial Education (CJE) credits are now being offered to judges who attend this training.
Continuing Judicial Education (CJE) credits are now being offered to judges who attend this training.
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Distracted Driving Citations
in Pennsylvania
(Data pulled from PA Courts case management
systems and Philadelphia Municipal Court
traffic division eTIMS system)
info
P A C O U R T S
In Pennsylvania, distracted driving means:
• wearing or using
headphones while driving
• texting while driving
which includes sending, reading
or writing a text-based message.
• using a handheld device
while driving (commercial vehicle)
TEXTING WHILE
DRIVING =
$50FINE*
plus court costs
and fees
*Title 75, Section 3316
12
1
11
10
9
8
2
4
3
7
5
6
The greatest number of
citations are given between
8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
33% of people cited
were in their 20s
71%of people cited
were male
59%
of citations
were issued by
Pennsylvania
State Police
30s - 28%
40s - 16%
50s - 11%
60s - 4%
70s - <1%
Teens - 6%
Female - 28%
Unspecified - 1%
Local police
issued - 41%
Distracted driving citations from 2017-2021.
Most citations were given during May.
MAY 11%
12
10
02468
percent of citations in 2021
5,054
4,793
4,292
TOTAL
18,595
2,293
2,163
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
J
F M A
J
J A S O N D
Top 10 counties with the most distracted driving citations:
Allegheny
Montgomery 8%
11%
Chester
6%
Cumberland
5%
Philadelphia
4%
Lancaster
4%
Berks
4%
Bucks
4%
Lehigh
4%
Delaware
4%
Data provided represents percentages from 1/1/2017 – 12/31/2021 (unless noted) based on the following state law:
Title 75, sections 1621, 1622, 3314, 3316.
19
STUDY FINDS REMOTE
HEARINGS TAKE LONGER,
BUT IMPROVE ACCESS
Reprinted with permission from the National Center for State
Courts newsletter – @ the Center.
Remote proceedings take about a third longer than in-person hearings largely due to technology-related issues and
lack of preparation by participants, according to an NCSC exploratory study of Texas courts. But the study also found
that remote proceedings take longer because they increase access to justice, as litigants can more easily attend and
participate in hearings.
This first national review of data confirms what judges have anecdotally shared about remote hearings before and
during the pandemic. The 12-month study analyzed both 1.25 million minutes of judicial data and focus group feedback
from judges and court leaders in eight counties across Texas.
David Slayton, former Texas state court administrator and NCSC vice president for Court Consulting Services, said the
study’s findings mostly confirmed what Texas court leaders thought to be true. However, he was somewhat surprised
that remote hearings take longer across all case types. That, he said, points to technology being an issue for all courts
to address.
Both he and the report suggest that courts can reduce the length of hearings by hiring “technology bailiffs,” who can
better prepare remote hearing participants for their hearings and handle technology glitches that occur during hearings.
Other recommendations include:
• Creating guidelines to determine which hearings should be in-person or remote.
Scheduling hearings efficiently while also considering litigant participation.
•
•
•
•
Ensuring paperwork is completed before hearings begin.
Providing easily accessible systems for participant use.
Encouraging judges to take breaks between hearings.
“We have already begun working on how to implement some of the recommendations from the report,” said Jeffrey
Tsunekawa, director of research and court services for the Texas Office of Court Administration. “For instance, there is
a need for template instructions and expectations for virtual hearings. Often, valuable hearing time is spent verbally
communicating these instructions when they could have been relayed in writing prior to the hearing. We are working
to collect samples from across the state to share with other courts. We are also reaching out to courts to collect best
practices and suggested practices now that courts have had two years of experience with remote hearings.”
Learn more about the findings and recommendations of this State Justice Institute-funded study here.
20
