Pa. high court to observe Lawrence Co. shutdown

By Mary Grzebieniak

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will be watching closely when Lawrence County shuts down its courthouse and county offices next week.

Commissioner Richard DeBlasio said the one-week courthouse closings the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas will be a first in Pennsylvania and that state officials are concerned about maintaining essential court functions.

And since the shutdown will set a precedent, officials want to make sure it is done properly, said Michael Occhibone, District Court Administrator for Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

Occhibone said the county notified the state Supreme Court in October about the anticipated shutdowns that the commissioners had announced as a way to deal with an impending year-end budget shortfall.

He said Chief Justice Ronald Castille of the state’s high court then contacted the county to make sure the needs of the local courts would be satisfied during those weeks. This included making provisions for the courts to hear any special petitions or emergency actions including protection-from-abuse orders, bench warrants, 72-hour hearings and other legal actions with time constraints.

Occhibone said that after reviewing the county’s plans, Justice Castille is satisfied the structure is in place to protect court needs.

Justice Castille and the state court administrator will be in touch with Judge Dominick Motto, county common pleas court president judge, and Occhibone next week to follow through on their concerns, Occhibone said.

On Thursday morning, two common pleas court judges, a district magistrate, the Central Court administrator, district attorney, public defender, the protection-from-abuse coordinator, clerk of courts, county commissioners, court administrator and representatives of Children and Youth Services, adult and juvenile probation met to make sure that emergencies will be addressed.

Commissioners said afterward at their meeting that the public can call the regular courthouse phone number, (724) 658-2541, for emergencies.

A new menu is being recorded that will direct callers, depending on what their emergency is. The county’s Web page — www.co.lawrence.pa.us — also may have updated information at offices that will remain on call next week and the week of Christmas, which include domestic relations, adult and juvenile probation, Central Court, the district attorney, public defender and Children and Youth Services.

Sheriff Perry Quahliero’s office will be closed, but he will be working security at Central Court.

Commissioner Steve Craig said the county’s 2009 budget is still very tight. He added the shutdown is the result of the long impasse before the state passed its budget as well as the poor economy.