Greenleaf Legislation to add Court of Common Pleas Judges Passes Senate

HARRISBURG— Today, the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill 861 sponsored by State Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf (R-12) that would add additional judges to the court of common pleas in several Pennsylvania counties.  The legislation now awaits action in the House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 861 would amend the Judicial Code to add two judges to the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas (12th judicial district), two judges to the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas (38th judicial district), one judge to the court of common pleas for Franklin and Fulton Counties (39th judicial district), one judge to the Adams County Court of Common Pleas (51st judicial district) and one judge to the Lackawanna Court of Common Pleas (45th judicial district). 

The judges will be elected in the municipal election of 2009 and will take office January 4, 2010.  However, the new judgeship for Franklin and Fulton counties shall be established on January 2, 2012 and will be initially filled by election in the 2011 municipal election. 

Dauphin County would increase from eight to ten judges.  Montgomery County would increase from 21 to 23 judges.  Adams County will increase from three to four judges.  Franklin and Fulton counties will increase from four to five judges.  Lackawanna County would increase from eight to nine judges. 

The legislation was drafted as a result of recommendations from county commissioners, president judges and other county officials. 

"Additional court of common pleas judges will reduce the caseload which currently overburdens these county courts," said Senator Greenleaf.  "With additional judges, we can more expediently try cases and better serve justice."