Here is the text we could read:
Official newsletter of the
Pennsylvania Judicial System
Issue 2, 2020
In this issue
Read about new judicial education resources for judges,
legislative updates, COVID-19 impacts on caseload stats,
county court highlights and more.
This format has allowed children to participate, in what
might normally be a confusing and stressful hearing, from
where they are comfortable.
Additionally, the ease with which most children are able
to use phones and tablets make it so that children are
able to speak directly to the judge in a very casual and
authentic manner (rather than in a formal, and sometimes
intimidating courtroom setting).
nother unforeseen benefit of these virtual hearings
has been that they can help spare victims of domestic
violence from the stressful experience of having to be
in the same room as their abuser. In New York, family
courts are considering making virtual hearings available
to litigants seeking protection orders even after the
pandemic is over.
A
For all the inevitable glitches and technical issues that
come with anything virtual, this solution seems to help
make the court system more accessible for a group of
traditionally vulnerable court users. While the future
use of technology in the courts after the pandemic may
vary by jurisdiction, many states have already begun
discussing it as a permanent solution for some cases.
The accidental
upside of virtual
hearings
Putting children and trauma
victims at ease
While a number of courts have recently started to
resume in-person hearings, some courts have found
that conducting dependency proceedings via video
conference continues to offer some advantages for
children and families.
“What we’ve heard from judges is that children are
generally very comfortable with the virtual forum – and
courts are even seeing many more parents in attendance
as transportation and child care are no longer an issue,”
said Sandra Moore
Courts director.
Sandra Moore, Office of Children and Families in the
New benchcard and benchbooks
distributed to Pa judges
Human-trafficking Benchcard
Human-trafficking Benchcard
Restitution Benchbook
Restitution Benchbook
A new resource for judges, the
Pennsylvania Human Trafficking
Judicial Benchcard, was sent to
Common Pleas and Magisterial
District judges across the state
at the end of July.
Developed by the AOPC
and the Institute to Address
Commercial Sexual Exploitation
at The Villanova University
Charles Widger School of
Law, the benchcard highlights
important definitions and sections of Pennsylvania’s anti-
trafficking laws and reflects the recent changes in the law
that went into effect on April 6, 2020.
As victims of human trafficking are frequently arrested
and charged with crimes, the resource includes a list of
the most common offenses victims have been charged
with and indicates those crimes that are eligible to be
vacated.
The benchcard also provides useful insight into the crimes
of sex and labor trafficking by listing the locations and
types of businesses where trafficking most often occurs,
as well as victim indicators that can be observed in a
court setting.
“We hope this benchcard will help identify potential
victims of human trafficking and encourage using trauma-
informed practices when presiding over human trafficking
Amy Kehner, Judicial District Operations and
cases,” said Amy Kehner
Programs administrator.
The new resource was created using STOP Grant funds –
federal grant money annually administered through the
Office of Violence against Women (OVW) to help enhance
efforts to combat violence against women.
2020
The benchcard was developed to serve as a companion
piece to the continuing education session on human
trafficking held by the Minor Judiciary Education Board
(MJEB) last year, in addition to the series of four webinars
recently offered to court staff.
To request copies of this benchcard at no charge to
Pennsylvania judges and court staff, please email
Amy.Kehner@pacourts.us.
Also to be distributed to all
Common Pleas judges across
the state, the first edition of
the Pennsylvania Restitution
Benchbook aims to provide best
practices for judges to consider
when imposing restitution.
The benchbook examines
the basic principles and
concepts when restitution must
be addressed and includes
procedural checklists for judges to reference at the
various phases of prosecution – at sentencing, in juvenile
court and as a condition of probation.
Jack Panella was joined
Superior Court President Judge Jack Panella
by fellow Superior Court Judges Alice Beck Dubow
Alice Beck Dubow,
Judith Ference Olson
Victor P. Stabile in writing and
Judith Ference Olson and Victor P. Stabile
developing this comprehensive resource in coordination
with the AOPC Judicial Education department.
Guardianship Benchbook
Guardianship Benchbook
Guardianship
Bench Book
P
E N N S Y L V A N I A
The Advisory Council on
Elder Justice in the Courts
and
The Administrative Office
of Pennsylvania Courts
This month, the Advisory Council
on Elder Justice in the Courts
published the first edition of
the Pennsylvania Guardianship
Benchbook in an effort to help
judges navigate the complex
issues involved in guardianship
cases.
“Determinations of whether a
guardianship is appropriate,
or how to arrive at the least
restrictive form of guardianship, involves the striking of
a balance between protection and autonomy, and has
always been a challenging inquiry,” PA Supreme Court
Justice Debra Todd
Debra Todd explained.
This benchbook outlines the laws pertaining to
guardianships, offers alternatives to guardianships
and provides guidance on how to identify and appoint
guardians. It reflects the accumulated wisdom of judges
and practitioners who focus on guardianships and will
serve as a valuable resource for Pennsylvania’s Orphans’
Court judges.
Cybersecurity
reminders from IT
This content was assembled from the August and
September IT Security Newsletters.
AOPC’s Network Security team has seen an increase of
malicious emails directed toward users. While our layered
security will eliminate most of these attempts, some will
inevitably manage to get through.
As always, please report any suspicious or unusual
emails to ITSecurity@pacourts.us. Even if you are unsure,
the AOPC’s IT Security team can validate it for you.
Spam, phishing attacks and other scams aren’t limited to
email – they’re also becoming increasingly prevalent on
social-networking sites.
Social media
Social media
While social media offers many advantages in both
our professional and personal lives, it also opens the
floodgates for misuse, privacy concerns and phishing or
posting attacks.
As a refresher, the AOPC IT security team suggests some
basic tips that everyone should be aware of when on
social media:
•
Safeguard personal info –
Safeguard personal info – There is always the
potential that the information you share online could
be used maliciously. Don’t overshare personal
information on social media and never publish
detailed personal information such as your street
address, telephone number or where you work.
• Use privacy settings –
Use privacy settings – Understand and use social
media privacy settings wisely.
• Check website legitimacy –
Check website legitimacy – Before sending or
entering sensitive information online, check the
security or legitimacy of the website. Be cautious of
websites with similar URLs.
Detecting a malicious email
Detecting a malicious email
• A malicious email can appear nearly identical to
that of a financial institution, an e-commerce site, a
government agency or any other service or business.
•
It may urge you to act quickly claiming an urgent
issue that needs to be addressed (i.e. your account
has been compromised, your order cannot be fulfilled
etc.).
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
4
Legislative roundup by Damian J. Wachter, Esq.
Budget
Budget
Expungement and Clean Slate
Expungement and Clean Slate
As noted in the prior roundup, a five-month budget was
adopted in May to fund state operations, including those
of the Judiciary. The legislature must pass legislation
funding the remaining seven months of the 2020-21 fiscal
year by November 30. This day represents not only the
end of the stop-gap budget timeframe, but it is also the
day the legislature will adjourn marking the end of the
current session.
House Bill 440 expands the expungement statute to
include judicial determinations of full acquittals, and the
Clean Slate limited access provisions to include pardons.
The legislation passed the House unanimously and is
pending in the Senate, where it is likely to pass in the
coming weeks. The bill also ensures that restitution and
automation fees are fully paid before a defendant is
eligible for either limited access or clean slate limited
access.
Probation reform
Probation reform
It is likely that some reform measures will pass and
be enacted into law before the end of the session.
House Bill 1555 and Senate Bill 14 and similar reform
proposals. Elements of the bills include modification of
probation conditions, parameters for total confinement
upon revocation, probation review conferences and
administrative probation for failure to pay restitution.
The Senate unanimously passed SB 14, and it has been
referred to the House Judiciary Committee. House Bill
1555 was moved from the House Judiciary Committee and
is pending on second consideration.
COLA suspension
COLA suspension
Custody
Custody
Senate Bill 868 makes several substantive changes to
the custody statute, with a focus on the health and safety
of the child. The changes include modifying the custody
factors and adding offenses to the list of crimes that, when
committed by a party or a member of the household, must
be considered by the court before it issues a custody
order. Further, the legislation allows the AOPC to develop
training for judges, court personnel, guardians ad litem,
counsel for children, masters and meditators, focusing
on abuse, bias, trauma and neglect. The legislation was
unanimously passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee –
its long-term prospects for passage are not yet known.
House Bill 2487 was passed unanimously by the House
and the Senate. As of this writing, it is expected to be
signed by the governor. The bill precludes a COLA of
compensation in 2021 for public officials in the executive,
legislative and judicial branches. The legislation was
passed in light of the budget shortfall facing the state
because of the pandemic.
District attorney vacancies
District attorney vacancies
Act 78 of 2020 was signed by the governor on Sept.
28. The act amends the County Code to modify how
vacancies in the office of district attorney are filled in
fourth through eighth class counties. Under the act, when
a vacancy occurs the judges of the Court of Common
contiguous territory as nearly equal in population as
practicable.”
Additionally, the General Assembly by law must establish
a transition to an appellate court judiciary elected from
judicial districts, the effect of set judicial districts upon
eligibility to seek retention, the order in which judicial
districts shall elect appellate court jurists and the
decennial realignment of the appellate judicial districts
beginning in 2021. Unlike the constitutional amendment,
any processes that must be established by law require
the assent of the governor.
Late last year the House passed the bill by a vote of 102-
95. On July 15 this year, the Senate passed the bill 26-24.
This was the first of two required legislative passages.
The proposal must pass in the same form in the next
legislative session, which commences on Jan. 5, 2021. The
earliest a question can be on the ballot is the municipal
primary on May 18, 2021.
Coming Up:
Coming Up:
It is expected between now and Nov. 30 the legislature
will:
Pass a 2020-21 General Appropriations Act and the
required mechanical bills – i.e., Fiscal and Administrative
Codes – for the remaining seven months of the fiscal year.
This could include further disbursement of Coronavirus
Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding
Debate current proposals and amendments to the
probation reform bills
Address other pending legislation discussed herein that
is part of the end-of-session bill trade list negotiated
between the legislative chambers
{Damian Wachter, Esq. is the assistant director
of Legislative Affairs.}
Pleas must appoint the first assistant district attorney
(ADA) to fill the vacancy upon a showing that he/she
satisfies the county residency, age, citizenship and bar
admittance requirements for district attorneys outlined
in the County Code. If the first ADA is unwilling or unable
to serve, or does not satisfy the requirements under law,
the judges of the Court of Common Pleas must appoint a
competent person who does.
Expert testimony
Expert testimony
House Bill 2175 and Senate Bill 1170 expand the list of
sexual offenses for which experts may testify in sexual
assault cases to assist the trier of fact in understanding
the dynamics of sexual violence, victim responses to
sexual violence and the impact of sexual violence on
victims during and after the assault. The bills passed their
respective chambers unanimously and are pending in the
other chamber. One of the bills will likely receive a final
floor vote and be sent to the governor before the end of
session.
Veterans and commerce courts
Veterans and commerce courts
Senate Bill 976 specifically enumerates Veterans
Courts within the current law governing problem-solving
courts. The bill allows for participation by out-of-county
defendants in established Veterans Courts and the
establishment of multi-county Veterans Courts. It also
allows for the use of veterans tracks – programs within
other treatment courts that utilize components of a
Veterans Court such as treatment and mentors in judicial
districts that otherwise do not have the population and/or
resources to sustain a full Veterans court. The bill passed
the Senate unanimously. It was amended in House
Judiciary with the provisions of House Bill 332, a bill that
allows the Superior Court and Courts of Common Pleas
to establish commerce court programs. The legislation
is expected to receive a final vote in the House when it
returns, after which the Senate will have to concur in the
House amendments.
Appellate judicial districts
Appellate judicial districts
House Bill 196 is a proposed constitutional amendment
changing the way appellate court jurists are selected
from statewide elections to district elections. Under
the proposed amendment, the Supreme Court shall be
elected from seven judicial districts and the Superior and
Commonwealth Courts shall be elected from judicial
districts. The districts would be established by law and
the number of jurists elected from districts “shall provide
every resident … with approximately equal representation
on a court … [and] shall be composed of compact and
‘Save Your Home’ program
provides lifeline to struggling
homeowners in Allegheny County
During the month of August, Allegheny County courts
reviewed over 250 cases of homeowners facing mortgage
foreclosure while in the midst of a pandemic.
A result of a collaboration with the county executive,
sheriff, Department of Court Records and the Fifth Judicial
District, the ‘Save Your Home’ Program has allowed them
to do so remotely and without subjecting court users to an
over-crowded courtroom.
Because of this program, Allegheny County residents
in danger of losing their homes and being evicted now
have a way to remotely attend remote conciliations and
conferences with their lenders using any electronic device
available– iPhone, landline, tablet etc.
This program was first established as a specialty court
within the Civil Court Division during the Great Recession
and mortgage crisis of 2007-2009.
“The real
power of the
program is I can
stop the foreclosure while
we explore alternative ways
to try to save homes,” Judge
McVay said. “I’m looking
for any possible change in
circumstances that gives me
hope that the home can be
saved, such as the person
reclaiming an old job or
finding a new one.”
Allegheny County Judge Jack McVay Jr.
over the program, explained its importance and
effectiveness.
Jack McVay Jr., who presides
He estimates that the program has saved at least 100
homes per year since it started.
The new convenience of the program has also reduced
the need to take off work or arrange child care, and may
relieve elderly borrowers from the stress of traveling to an
in-person appearance.
Additionally, most defendants do not have attorneys and
are of limited financial resources and appreciate their
cases being reviewed safely, inexpensively and remotely.
“We as a court are prioritizing public safety, but
simultaneously serving the public constitutionally by
holding court,” Judge McVay said.
Resources to help your court during
and after the pandemic
The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) Pandemic
Rapid Response Team (RRT), a group of chief justices and
state court administrators established in March, has been
working for months to give state courts information to help
them operate more efficiently during – and after – the
pandemic.
RRT and its six working groups have produced an
enormous amount of work. Here’s some examples of what
a few of the groups have done to help courts:
• Civil – This working group tackled the problem of
backlogs and an anticipated surge in civil filings due to
the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. This
document describes 12 practical steps to make civil
case processing more efficient and fairer to litigants.
• Appellate – As the pandemic began, state appellate
courts almost immediately adapted to conducting oral
arguments remotely. This resource provides guidance
on what courts have done that has worked well.
• Children, Families and Elders – In response to stay-at-
home orders in the spring, courthouses in most states
were closed for in-person proceedings – creating a
huge backlog of cases. This group has produced a
document that offers creative solutions to help courts
stay on top of backlogs and the anticipated surge in
filings.
•
Technology – RRT has adopted six principles to
guide decisions for court leaders as they integrate
technology into their courts.
[excerpt from the Aug. & Sept. issues of the National Center
for State Courts' newsletter – @ the Center]
Court Management of Guardianships
Court Management of Guardianships
During the Pandemic
During the Pandemic
NCSC recently held a webinar on Sept. 23 focusing
on good case management of guardianships and
conservatorships during the pandemic.
Speakers included judges - including Montgomery
County Orphans’ Court Judge Lois Murphy
along with both an experienced guardian and
attorney, who discussed how to effectively monitor
guardianship cases.
Lois Murphy -
Also discussed during the webinar was how to
decide whether a hearing should be held virtually
vs. in-person, and speakers outlined best practices
for judges, guardians and attorneys to follow
during such virtual hearings.
To see more of the RRT’s work, go here.
For Pa-specific orders and filings related to COVID-19 visit http://www.pacourts.us/ujs-coronavirus-information
‘The disruption we needed’ can lead to
better court services, says CCJ/COSCA
The coronavirus pandemic has led to inconvenience,
unprecedented case backlogs and issues that the nation’s
state courts haven’t faced since the influenza pandemic of
1918-19. It has also led to opportunity.
•
The Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ) and Conference
of State Court Administrators (COSCA) urge state court
officials to view the pandemic with a glass-half-full
perspective, and they recommend that state courts
consider six principles related to their use of technology
going forward.
Here are the six principles and some steps court officials
can take to implement them:
•
•
Ensure principles of due process, procedural fairness,
Ensure principles of due process, procedural fairness,
transparency, and equal access are satisfied when
transparency, and equal access are satisfied when
adopting new technologies.
adopting new technologies. Make sure litigants
receive proper notice of hearings. Use plain language
to present legal information. Design systems that
connect litigants with legal help. Review online
dispute resolution agreements prior to hearings.
Focus on the user experience.
Focus on the user experience. Make it easier for
people to use court services by expanding online
opportunities and communication channels with users,
including under-served communities and people who
are less than proficient in English.
solutions and get input from all stakeholders,
including lawyers and litigants.
Embrace flexibility and willingness to adapt.
Embrace flexibility and willingness to adapt. Test and
adapt, try and fail, and move on from technology that
isn’t solving problems. Start with a viable product that
doesn’t impact fundamental due process. Examine
and re-examine the product. Be open to public-private
partnerships to refine it.
Adopt remote-first (or at least remote-friendly)
• Adopt remote-first (or at least remote-friendly)
planning, where practicable, to move court processes
planning, where practicable, to move court processes
forward.
forward. Move as many court processes as possible
online. Allow for remote attendance at hearings
using telephone or video. Ensure that staffers and
users have the training and resources they need to
participate. Figure out how to involve users with no or
limited access to the internet.
•
Take an open, data-driven, and transparent approach
Take an open, data-driven, and transparent approach
to implementing and maintaining court processes and
to implementing and maintaining court processes and
supporting technologies.
supporting technologies. Collect data at frequent
intervals and ensure it helps court leaders accurately
assess the technology’s impact. Protect personal
identifying information.
Read more about the CCJ and COSCA’s RRT Technology
workgroup’s work here.
•
Prioritize court-user driven technology.
Prioritize court-user driven technology. Identify
problems in order to select the best technological
[excerpt from the Aug. & Sept. issues of the National Center for
State Courts' newsletter – @ the Center]
Courtroom to classroom
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Commission on
Judicial Independence (PACJI) is launching a new initiative
later this fall to get elementary and secondary aged
students excited about civics education.
As the 2020 school year presents unique challenges
to teachers, students and parents alike, many schools
are opting to return using virtual instruction – either
completely or blending with in-person.
As a way to continue on with their mission of promoting
civics education, the Commission will be working with local
judges to virtually visit classrooms and talk to students
about the role of the courts and the work they do as a
jurist.
AOPC/Communications is partnering with the Commission
to develop materials for teachers to use as they teach
their classes about the three branches of government –
specifically emphasizing meaningful information about the
work, role and importance of the judiciary.
In partnering with legislators and other civics-focused
groups, the Commission has reached out to civics and
government teachers across the state to aid in developing
materials.
The goal is for these materials to become accessible for
widespread use across the state by working with those
school districts and the PA Department of Education (PDE)
– who will be able to upload the resources on a statewide
teacher portal.
Reaching survivors during Domestic
Violence Awareness Month
Funded by the STOP Grant, AOPC will again create and
run a digital ad campaign on Facebook and Google
beginning in the month of October.
The ads target survivors of domestic violence using a
positive message that help is available, and pointing them
to the pacourts.us/learn webpage for information and
videos on how to file for a protection order.
View the campaign soon on our PA Courts Facebook page
and follow @PACourts for organizational updates and
county court news.
Delco juror donation program
hits $1 million mark
Back in 2000, Delaware County
District Court Administrator Jerry
Jerry
Montella
Montella first had the idea to bring a
juror donation program to the county
after reading about similar programs.
“We were having an issue with jurors
who would often forget about the
check they received and not cash
it,” Montella explained. “We thought
jurors might be willing to simply
donate their minimal stipend.”
Montella said he was hoping that the
first year of the program would yield
around $1,000 in donations, but one
year after the program launched in
2003, results immediately exceeded
expectations with jurors donating over
$50,000.
Nearly 16 years later, around 100,000
jurors have donated their stipend of
$9.00 plus mileage, totaling over $1
million.
The donations are allocated to efforts
supporting at-risk and/or special-
needs children in the county, and
have expanded to support UNICEF
and Red Cross for Hurricane Relief.
Some of the most popular
organizations jurors donate to
include Children and Youth Services
(40%), Hero Scholarship Fund (20%),
Domestic Abuse (24%), Operation
Warm (6%), Court Appointed Special
Advisors (CASA) (8%) and the
YMCA (2%).
“I would like to thank the thousands
of Delaware County jurors for their
generosity and service over the years
in which they have assisted children
with special needs across our county
neighborhoods,” Montella said.
“On this recognition of the Delaware
County juror donation program
reaching the $1 million contribution
benchmark, the board of judges
gratefully acknowledges and whole
heartedly commends District Court
Administrator Jerry Montella for
conceiving of such an idea and
shepherding the program to its
current, most impressive and highly
successful status,” Delaware County
President Judge Kevin Kelly
Kevin Kelly said.
COVID-19 impacts on caseloads –
early observations
Every business, institution and organization has been
notably affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in one way
or another – and the justice system has not been immune.
The figures below represent preliminary data assembled
from judicial case management systems, and other state
agencies.
The AOPC examined the filings and dispositions for the
three years prior to the 2020 judicial emergency and
calculated a baseline average of an expected volume of
cases. This baseline was compared to the actual filings
in the months of the judicial emergency. The difference
shows the significant impact of the pandemic on court
operations.
Crime and Court Filings
Crime and Court Filings
In late June, PA State Police reported that total calls for
service were 14 percent higher than pre-COVID baseline
levels (in late Feb.) – a leveling of the sharp increases of
up to 84 percent in the early months of the pandemic.
According to PA State Police COVID-19 Statistics, total
arrests in late June were 70 percent lower than pre-COVID
levels. Like arrests, traffic citations also decreased.
The number of citations filed this past July were 35 percent
fewer than in past years. At the beginning of the pandemic,
citation filings were at their lowest, showing a decrease of
86 percent (April 2020).
As expected, fewer arrests and citations translate
into fewer case filings. Year-to-date criminal filings
in Magisterial District Courts are down 19 percent as
compared to recent years, and Philadelphia Municipal
Court is down 39 percent.
Children, Families and Elders
Children, Families and Elders
Preliminary Common Pleas data show that petitions for
child custody, Protection from Abuse orders, guardianships
and adoptions all decreased significantly.
Custody filings decreased 34 percent compared to
baseline years, and Protection from Abuse petitions
decreased 28 percent.
Compared to baseline years, guardianship filings have
decreased 19 percent and adoptions have decreased 41
percent.
Troublingly, PA Dept. of Human Services Statistics show
that calls to ChildLine to report potential abuse or neglect
had decreased by 40 percent in May 2020 compared to
May 2019. This has been a concern among experts who
say this decrease in calls likely doesn’t mean a decrease
in child abuse – only in its reporting.
14%
calls for police
service
70%
arrests
28%
PFA petitions
41%
86%
34%
adoptions
traffic citations
custody filings
It runs in
the family
Dauphin County President
Judge John Cherry
John Cherry (PJ
Cherry) and Clearfield
County Judge Paul Cherry
Paul Cherry
(Judge Cherry) both
followed in the footsteps
of their father, Judge
John A. Cherry
John A. Cherry – the
former president judge of
Clearfield County from
1964–‘74.
The humble, hard-working
son of a first-generation
immigrant from Italy, their
father instilled in his six
children a deep respect and
appreciation for the law
from a young age.
PJ Cherry was 13 years old
when he vividly remembers
his father being sworn in as
a judge, and it was around
that same time that his
younger brother Paul, just
six years old, first knew he
wanted to be a judge.
“I was in the first grade and
my teacher wanted us to
do an art project on what
we wanted to be when we
grew up,” Judge Cherry
said. “I remember cutting
out a robe in construction
paper and putting that on
the person, and I actually
kept that and 40 years later
brought it with me to my
swearing in.”
He recalled one piece
of advice from his father
that has stuck with him
throughout his career – to
“be firm, but fair.”
Reflecting on his own path
to the bench, PJ Cherry
explained that it was an
opportunity given to their
father back in the 1930’s
that would shape the
course of the Cherry family
for generations to come.
After their father asked
former Dickinson Law Dean
Harrison Hitchler for a part-
time janitorial job to help
put himself through school,
the dean instead invited
him to come live and work
in his home.
It was in the coming months
and years that Dean
Hitchler became one of the
greatest influences on their
father’s life and a close
family friend.
Since then, nine Cherrys
have attended Dickinson
Law – including PJ Cherry’s
son (also named John), and
Judge Cherry’s son (Nick)
– who is currently studying
there with plans to become
the 18th lawyer in the Cherry
family.
“Frankly, my father was
the greatest man I’ve ever
known,” said PJ Cherry. “All
we had to do was watch
my father to see how he
lived-filled with honor and
compassion. He taught
us that it’s all about the
opportunities you are given
and making the most of
them.”
In 2004 and again in 2014,
PJ Cherry swore in his
brother Paul as a judge in
the same Clearfield County
courtroom that their father
presided in over 50 years
ago.
“Every time I’m presiding
in Courtroom #1, I see
the picture of my father
hanging on the wall directly
in front of the bench and it’s
a constant reminder to treat
everyone fairly,” Judge
Clearfield County President Judge John A. Cherry (father)
Dauphin County President Judge John Cherry
Judge Paul Cherry
Paul Cherry (r). Photo by Julie Rae Rickard, Gant Daily News.
John Cherry (l) and Clearfield County
Cherry said. “And every day
I try to duplicate my father’s
values.”
Their roles reversed in the
beginning of this year when
Judge Cherry was the one
swearing his brother John
in for his third term, this time
as president judge – taking
on the same role that their
father was once a great
exemplar.
“I’ve learned that it’s not
being a lawyer or a judge
that makes you like your
dad, it’s being the person
he was, and I’m working on
that every day,” PJ Cherry
said.
Aiding
access to
justice
Berks County received nearly 7,000
requests for court interpreters in
2018 alone – more than any other
county in the state that year.
In an effort to meet the significant
demand for court interpreters in
their community, the Berks County
Bar Association partnered with
the AOPC to develop a 14-week
interpreter training program.
Patricia Luna-Heisse, a Spanish
interpreter on the AOPC roster, is
a clear-cut success story of the
program.
Patricia’s husband, Lancaster County
Magisterial District Judge Jonathan
Jonathan
Heisse
Heisse, encouraged her to first start
the process after listening to AOPC
Interpreter Certification Coordinator
Natalia Petrova
Natalia Petrova speak about the
important role of court interpreters at
MJEB’s New Judge School in 2018.
Having previously graduated from
law school in Peru, Patricia’s legal
background, coupled with her
recent experience interpreting for a
company that contracted with school
districts and courthouses in and
around Lancaster County, made her
an ideal candidate for the program.
That summer, she attended the
AOPC interpreter orientation
where she learned that Berks
County was offering a workshop
to help participants prepare for all
the examinations involved in the
intensive certification process.
Tom Gran, another Spanish
interpreter on the AOPC roster who
just recently finished the certification
process himself, led the program.
“We were really lucky to have him
– he taught us what to expect from
all the examinations, how everything
was going to work and really pushed
us to study,” Patricia explained.
“It is being involved with the Berks
program that helped me make
the decision to continue with the
certification process and go forward
with the examination - I am very
thankful for this program.”
After graduating from the program
in Nov. 2018, Patricia went on
to successfully complete her
examinations and officially became
a certified court interpreter in July
2019.
“I am glad to be able to
help people who aren’t able
to communicate in English
when they are going
through different situations
that are really serious and
important – it makes me
happy to be their voice and
it makes me proud of the
job that I do,” Patricia said.
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
Geoff Moulton
Assistant 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
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Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Thomas G. Saylor
Chief Justice of Pennsylvania
Patricia Luna-Heisse
“It’s not easy but it’s rewarding – not
only personally but professionally.
People are really thankful for what
you do for them and the judges
really respect the importance of
your job and let you know that on a
daily basis,” she said.
Berks County Bar Association is
currently planning their third training
for this fall.
Max Baer
Justice
Debra Todd
Justice
Christine Donohue
Justice
Kevin M. Dougherty
Justice
David N. Wecht
Justice
Sallie Updyke Mundy
Justice
