News

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Names Nine to New Juvenile Court Procedural Rules Committee

May 09, 2001

HARRISBURG, May 9, 2001 — Chief Justice of Pennsylvania John P. Flaherty has announced the establishment of a Juvenile Court Procedural Rules Committee, which will include nine experienced members of the bench and bar from across the Commonwealth. The committee is the result of the work begun by the Juvenile Court Rules Project, which was established by the Supreme Court and funded by the state legislature in response to changes in juvenile law that emerged during the General Assembly’s 1995 Special Session on Crime. The nine-member committee will be responsible for reviewing procedural practices in juvenile court and for developing a comprehensive set of statewide rules. The committee also will respond to questions from the bench, bar and public about juvenile court matters. One of the committee’s first tasks will be a review of proposed procedural rules that were initiated in the Juvenile Court Rules Project, governing key elements of juvenile case processing. The project included an examination of juvenile court national standards, statutory and case law, and studies of local practices that vary widely throughout Pennsylvania. Members initially will serve for one-, two- or three-year terms, beginning February 1, 2001. Appointments thereafter are for three-year terms. Members can serve no more than two consecutive three-year terms. Those appointed to a one-year term are: · The Hon. Robert J. Colville, Allegheny County · John Patrick Delaney, Jr., Esq., Philadelphia · The Hon. Thomas J. Doerr, Butler County Appointed to a two-year term are: · Francis Barry McCarthy, Jr., Esq., Allegheny County (Chairman) · The Hon. Carol K. McGinley, Lehigh County (Vice Chairman) · The Hon. Patrick R. Tamilia, Allegheny County Appointed to a three-year term are: · The Hon. Bruce L. Castor Jr., Montgomery County · Jason P. Kutulakis, Esq., Cumberland County · The Hon. Abram Frank Reynolds, Philadelphia