Luzerne County Courts

From: Chester B. Muroski, President Judge on behalf of all members of the 11th Judicial District of Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County

MEDIA RELEASE: March 17, 2009
The Luzerne County Court en banc, following its weekly meeting, announces the following:

1. The Luzerne County Court en banc has requested the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC), the administrative branch of the State Unified Court System, for technical assistance in reviewing all financial transactions within the Luzerne County Court System. After a conference call on March 11, 2009, with Zygmont Pines, Pennsylvania Court Administrator, Joseph Mittleman, Director of Judicial Programs for AOPC, accountants retained by the AOPC, representatives of Luzerne County Treasurer’s and Controller’s offices, Acting Luzerne County Court Administrator and the President Judge, the AOPC agreed to our request.
The AOPC will evaluate the way money is collected, tracked and disbursed to reassure the court that all standard cash accounting procedures are being followed and to correct any deficiencies that may exist.
While monies collected by the Domestic Relations Department and the Probation Services Department are routinely audited by the state and must follow state mandated policies, the court wishes to insure that all financial transactions are held to the same high standards.
The various court departments are cooperating fully with the AOPC in this evaluation process.

2. The Court en banc has authorized the President Judge to write to the Governor about the need to appoint a judge to fill the newest vacancy as soon as possible. A copy of that letter is attached.

3. The Court en banc has authorized Judge Musto to implement his recommendation to continue his study of available systems to allow for a random assignment of civil cases to judges.

4. The President Judge, together with Judges Augello and Lupas, will attend the monthly meeting with the Magisterial District Judges to discuss further the feasibility of continuing Central Court and, if so, with what modifications, if any.

5. In view of significant progress attained since January 26, 2009, the Court en banc will meet on alternate Tuesdays, with the next meeting scheduled for March 31, 2009.

Below is a copy of the letter to Govenor Edward G. Rendell

March 17, 2009

VIA FACSIMILE AND FIRST CLASS MAIL:

Honorable Edward G. Rendell, Governor
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
Re: 11th Judicial District
Dear Governor Rendell:

I am quite certain you are aware of the state of the judiciary in Luzerne County.

In a 10-judge county, we have seven elected and one appointed judge for a total of eight serving judges. These judges are assigned to civil and criminal jury trials. Much of the Orphans’ Court and Family Court dockets are served by Senior Judges assigned by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. At the present time, three judicial seats are on the May ballot. Mark Ciavarella’s resignation was effective March 16, 2009 and, therefore, will not be on the ballot until the primary in 2011, and cannot be filled until January 2012.

On behalf of my colleagues and the citizens of our county, I am respectfully requesting that you fill that vacancy as soon as possible. My retirement is effective December 31st of this year, and, even with three judges taking office in January 2010, we will still be one judge under our statutory complement. Therefore, I believe it to be in the best interest of our bench and bar that you appoint a well-qualified and experienced trial lawyer to the bench to serve until the tenth judge takes office in January 2012. I further believe that there are a number of excellent candidates among our bar who would not only be ideal appointees, but also not seek election for a full term.

I am hopeful that you will carefully examine our unusual situation and act to afford our citizens a full compliment of Luzerne County jurists.

Very truly yours,

CHESTER B. MUROSKI
President Judge