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Phila. Municipal Court Treatment Court Chosen as a National Model

Philadelphia Municipal Court's Treatment Court has been selected by the National Drug Court Institute in conjunction with the Bureau of Justice as one of ten national mentor courts to serve as models for other jurisdictions.

May 27, 2010

Philadelphia Municipal Court's Treatment Court has been selected by the National Drug Court Institute in conjunction with the Bureau of Justice as one of ten national mentor courts to serve as models for other jurisdictions.

At Least We All Agree -- Philly Needs a New Family Court

Despite questions over development, supporters continue to advocate for a new facility.

May 26, 2010

There is agreement among Governor Rendell, Mayor Nutter, Chief Justice Castille, the leaders of the Philadelphia Courts, the private bar and advocacy groups that Philadelphia needs a new, unified Family Court building to replace the two old, outdated facilities that have too long been used for very important legal proceedings involving families and children.

Philadelphia’s Veterans Court

A new problem-solving court at the Criminal Justice Center aims to address the unique needs of veteran defendants.

May 26, 2010

Philadelphia’s Veterans Court, established in March of this year, is up and running every Wednesday at the Criminal Justice Center. Similar to other diversionary and specialty courts, such as drug abuse or mental health court, the program is designed to accelerate the legal process, provide necessary assistance to offenders, and avoid jail time.

Juror Appreciation Day 2010

Philadelphia will celebrate its 11th annual Juror Appreciation Day on May 20.

May 19, 2010

Tomorrow Philadelphia celebrates its 11th annual Juror Appreciation Day at the Criminal Justice Center. The program was coordinated by a partnership between the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts to recognize the importance of jury service and to honor the citizens who serve.

Senator Greenleaf's Proposed Commission on Criminal Courts

Senator Greenleaf proposes creating an advisory panel to investigate Philadelphia's criminal court system.

May 17, 2010

Last week Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf, along with eight other senators, proposed a resolution that would create an advisory panel to investigate Philadelphia’s criminal courts and put forth recommendations for improvement.

Chief Justice Castille Issues State of the Courts Report

Chief Justice Ronald Castille has issued the fifth State of the Commonwealth's Courts report.

May 6, 2010

Chief Justice Ronald Castille has issued the fifth State of the Commonwealth's Courts report.  The press release announcing the report is available here, and the report itself is

There's Room on the Bandwagon

The Herald-Standard endorses proposed legislation that would change the way Pennsylvanians select appellate judges from judicial elections to a merit selection process.

May 6, 2010

This pro merit selection editorial from the Herald-Standard was brought to our attention by Representative Matt Smith, D-Mt. Lebanon.

Senate Judiciary Committee's Public Hearing on Philadelphia’s Criminal Justice System

On April 9, 2010 the Philadelphia Bar Association hosted the Senate Judiciary Committee's Public Hearing on Philadelphia’s Criminal Justice System.

April 27, 2010

The hearing was in part a response to the recent Philadelphia Inquirer series that decried, among other issues, the system’s low conviction rates and problems with witness intimidation. While not everyone agreed with all of the Inquirer’s conclusions, there has been a collaborative movement to re-examine the court system in hopes of improving it.
 

Smart Talk Focuses on Merit Selection

This morning at 9:30 PMC Executive Director Lynn Marks will appear on WITF’s Smart Talk (89.5 and 93.33 FM Harrisburg) to discuss Merit Selection and the Governor’s call for the legislature to move the legislation.

April 23, 2010

This morning at 9:30 PMC Executive Director Lynn Marks will appear on WITF’s Smart Talk (89.5 and 93.33 FM Harrisburg) to discuss Merit Selection and the Governor’s call for the legislature to move the legislation.

Pennsylvania is Talking About Merit Selection

Yesterday’s call by Governor Rendell for the legislature to pass the pending Merit Selection bills has got Pennsylvania talking.

April 22, 2010

Yesterday’s call by Governor Rendell for the legislature to pass the pending Merit Selection bills has got Pennsylvania talking.  An editorial in the Philadelphia Daily News shares the Governor’s sense of urgency to pass the legislation and argues: “Imagine if judge