MEETING MINUTES
Monday, November 7, 2016
Attendance
Present were: Judge Butts, Judge Anderson, Judge Gray, Judge Lovecchio, Jennifer Ayers, Aaron Biichle, Skip Greevy, Brad Hillman, Ed Mitchell, Clifford Rieders, Joseph Rider, Jeffrey Rowe, Adrianne Stahl, Mike Wiley, Dave Wilk, Jeff Yates, and Michele Frey
Old Business
Court Calendar for 2017
Judge Butts reported that the court calendar for 2017 has been published.
There followed a discussion about trial terms for civil and criminal cases. The calendar, as published, contains some variations from the anticipated trial terms which were reported at the previous meeting.
The Judges explained that within the calendar, trials listed for Courtrooms 2 and 3 are terms for civil trials. Trials scheduled for Courtrooms 1 and 4 are criminal trials.
Judge Anderson’s Status for 2017
Judge Anderson’s status for 2017 will not be known until after the election and the outcome of the referendum vote pertaining to the proposed constitutional amendment to raise the retirement age of active judges to 75.
New Business
Jury Questionnaires
Court Administrator, Adrianne Stahl, reported that there have been changes made to the “juror qualification” questionnaire. There followed a discussion concerning the use of juror questionnaires in Lycoming County. Lycoming County uses a two questionnaire system. “Qualification questionnaires” are sent to individuals whose names are being considered for jury service. Those questionnaires are completed and returned by the jurors to the Court Administrator. A second questionnaire is sent to those jurors who are placed on the panel of jurors. The second questionnaire is sent to the panel jurors along with the summons requiring their reporting for possible jury duty.
It was requested that Adrianne provide to the chairman for distribution to the members of the committee, copies of the current and previous “qualification questionnaires” and the current second questionnaire.
A sub-committee will be convened to discuss the questionnaires and consider suggestions for additional questions.
Grantee Clause for Same Sex Married Couples
Joe Rider suggested that in order to create a tenancy by the entireties for a same sex married couple, the grantee clause state following the names “a legally married couple, as tenants by the entireties” and that the deed also contain a purpose clause indicating that the intention of the grantor was to create a tenancy by the entireties in grantees who are a legally married couple. Joe also suggested that an attorney representing a legally married same sex couple obtain, and keep on file, a copy of the couple’s marriage license.
File stamp in Prothonotary’s office
It was reported that file stamps on documents in the Prothonotary’s office are sometimes so faint they cannot be read. It was also reported that at other times the stamp is placed over printed material making it incapable of being read.
It was requested that this problem be discussed with the Prothonotary for improvements.
Lawyers Admission Ceremony
A Lawyers Admission Ceremony is scheduled for December 2, 2016. Applicants for admission need to have applications completed and submitted prior to December 2, 2016.
Attorney Social
The Young Lawyers Committee is hosting a social for attorneys at the Old Corner Hotel on November 18, 2016.
Inns of Court
It was reported that there has been an increase in participation in the Inns of Court.
Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 6, 2017.
Respectfully submitted,
C. Edward Mitchell, Chairman