Lycoming Law Association
 Contact Us 

Back to Bench Bar Committee Page

MEETING MINUTES

Monday, February 7, 2011

Attendance

Present were: Judge Gray, Judge Lovecchio, Judge McCoy, Court Administrator Kevin Way, Brian Bluth, Richard Callahan, Robert Cronin, Jennifer Heverly, Bradley Hillman, William Knecht, Joseph Rider, Clifford Rieders, J. Michael Wiley, David Wilk, Jeffrey Yates and Ed Mitchell.

Old Business

  • Court Website - The Court website continues to be a work in process.
  • Cell Phone Policy - A cell phone policy is being adopted. At the present time, there are no restrictions on lawyers having cell phones on the second floor of the courthouse. Cell phones are to be turned off when in open Court. Cell phones are collected from jurors.
  • Attendance of Jurors - Contempt letters were directed to 21 jurors who did not report for jury duty in September and October and 19 of those of letters were served by the Sheriff. All 19 appeared for jury duty in January. An article was published in the Sun-Gazette the week of Christmas. No shows for jury duty have now been reduced from approximately 20% to approximately 11%..
  • Mortgage Foreclosures - The Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Settlement Diversion Program has resulted in positive outcomes in approximately 20% of the cases that have been applicable.
  • Open Adoption Act - The Open Adoption Act became effective January 22. There are changes in the manner in which relocations are handled. The LLA Lunch and Learn Program for March will be on the changes implemented by the Act
  • Jury Questionnaires - A voluntary question on race has been added to the civil jury questionnaire. The purpose is to aid in prevention of racial discrimination in jury selection. The Court Administrator will accept suggestions for additional questions to be added to the questionnaire.

New Business

  • New LLA Committees - The Law Association is creating a Family Court Committee to meet periodically to discuss Family Court issues. The association is also creating a Criminal Law Committee.
  • Local Rules - New local rules have been adopted by the Court and published in the January 14, 2011 Lycoming Reporter.
  • Jury Instruction Against Use of Internet. - Suggested jury instructions advising jurors they are precluded from doing internet research will be submitted to the Court for review.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be May 9, 2011 at noon at the Ross Club. 

Respectfully submitted,

C. Edward S. Mitchell, Chairman