News

Juvenile Hearing Canceled Due to Weather Concern

February 23, 2010

HARRISBURG, February 24, 2010 - The Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice has canceled a public hearing scheduled for tomorrow, February 25, in Wilkes-Barre because of winter storm predictions for tomorrow and Friday. Commission Chairman John M. Cleland said in a statement: "We regret the need to take this action, but we feel it is the best decision given the severe weather prediction for Thursday and Friday. We know that some members of the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice as well as staff, witnesses and members of the public are planning to travel substantial distances to attend this hearing. We do not want anyone who plans to attend or participate in the hearing to be put at risk. The commission will try to reschedule the hearing and will advise the media and the public of its plans." The commission, which is investigating the breakdown in the juvenile justice system in Luzerne County, had planned to hear from juveniles whose cases were adjudicated by former Judge Mark A. Ciavarella, victims of juvenile crimes and other witnesses. The commission's task is to determine the causes of the failures in the county's juvenile justice system, which has been marred by a judicial corruption scandal; to restore public confidence in the administration of justice, and to make recommendations to prevent a recurrence of a similar situation in Luzerne County or elsewhere. Transcripts of the commission's prior public hearings and other information about the commission are available at: http://www.pacourts.us/Links/Public/InterbranchCommissionJuvenileJustice.htm