MEETING MINUTES
August 6, 2007
Attendance
Present were: Judge Kieser, Judge Gray, Kevin Way, Joseph Campagna, William Knecht, Joe Rider, Mike Wiley, Richard Callahan, John Pietrovito and Ed Mitchell.
Discussion included:
Court Administrator Kevin Way: The 2008 court calendar will be distributed next week.
The legislature is considering a bill to redesign jury panels. The redesign will probably become effective in 2009. There will be a state prepared list for each county. The components are expected to include welfare lists, tax rolls, drivers licenses and voter registration.
The judicial assignments for the two-year cycle beginning January 1, 2008, are as follows:
Civil: Judge Anderson and Judge Gray
Criminal: Judge Brown and Judge Butts
Orphans Court: Judge Butts
Family Law: Judge Kieser
Judge Kieser: The portion of the state budget allocated to the court system is only 6/10 of 1%.
The judges are meeting with District Attorney elect Eric Lindhardt in an effort to expedite disposition into special programs of qualified defendant applicants.
The family court master is handling preliminary custody orders.
Judge Gray: Judge Anderson and Judge Gray will be meeting with civil practitioners in anticipation of the 2008 civil trial terms to discuss any concerns.
Joe Rider: The Supreme Court has published three forms of account. The Local Rules Committee is considering necessary amendments to the local orphans court rules.
Joe raised concern about the processing by the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee of complaints of potential unauthorized practice of law. Joe expressed concern about whether interviewing by the Committee of individuals against whom complaints have been made would jeopardize the individual’s constitutional rights and/or any possible criminal prosecution. Judge Kieser responded that any such interviews would be voluntary and should not impact potential future prosecutions.
John Pietrovito: Portraits of Judge Anderson and Judge Gray will be completed in the near future. There was a discussion about lack of space for hanging portraits of all current and former judges. Jessica Engle will be charged with the duty of looking for appropriate locations for hanging of judges’ portraits.
The Executive Committee is concerned about methods of increasing attendance at bar functions such as the picnic. The Executive Committee has noted that attendance by judges is poor, and the committee would like to know what can be done to improve attendance by judges. Judge Kieser acknowledged that attendance by judges has been poor, but pointed out scheduling conflicts with the state judicial conference and other obligations. Possible changes in the scheduling of the bar picnic will be considered.
Richard Callahan: With respect to encouraging increased attendance at bar functions such as the bar picnic, Dick suggested a resumption of the former practice of senior members of firms encouraging younger attorneys to attend.
Family court seems to be running smoothly. The District Attorney needs to make decisions pertaining to alternative dispute resolution with respect to simpler cases on a more timely basis.
Joseph Campagna: Joe has announced his resignation as Executive Director of North Penn Legal Services. Jennifer Heverly will replace Joe on the Bench/Bar Committee.
The next meeting will be December 3, 2007, at noon at the Ross Club.
Respectfully submitted,
C. Edward S. Mitchell, Chairman