The Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice has begun its hearings into the Luzerne County juvenile justice system at the East Mountain Inn, Plains Township. The two day hearing will feature Luzerne County court officials testifying in front of a commission culled from experts from across Pennsylvania.
Judge John Cleland, chair of the 11-member group, opened the hearing by indictating these non-criminal hearings are meant to restore public confidence in the system. “We are not blind to the fact that as events have unfolded during the last year, there have been investigations and indictments that have extended far beyond what went on within the confines of Mark Ciavarella’s courtroom.”
The first witness sworn in was Berks County Judge Arthur Grim, who discussed his review of more than 100 juvenile cases. Judge Grim called former Judge Mark Ciavarella’s behavior on the bench as “unethical and against the law.” When reviewing the cases, Judge Grim stated, “It was worse than I expected.”
Judge Grim is calling for more transparency in the court system, including the opportunity for juvenile court to be open to the public under a strict set of circumstances, including the protection of the victims.
In looking into Judge Ciavarellas’s juvenile court, Judge Grim found most defendants spent between three to five minutes in the courtroom. Most didn’t have counsel and their parents and guardians didn’t have a proper understanding of this right. Judge Ciavarella also indicated that he had read the defendant’s files prior to the time of sentencing which is against procedure. “It blew my mind,” Judge Grim stated.
The hearing continues for the rest of the day and tomorrow.
Corbett
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