{"id":246136,"date":"2025-04-29T22:07:42","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T02:07:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/communityheropa.org\/?p=246136"},"modified":"2025-04-29T22:18:18","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T02:18:18","slug":"judge-the-judges-2025-understanding-the-power-behind-the-bench","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/communityheropa.org\/judge-the-judges-2025-understanding-the-power-behind-the-bench\/","title":{"rendered":"Judge the Judges 2025:  Understanding the Power Behind the Bench"},"content":{"rendered":"[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.3&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"310\" data-end=\"429\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">On April 29, 2025, community members gathered for the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/communityheropa.org\/philly-judicial-primaryforum-2025\/\">Judge the Judges\u201d forum<\/a>, a collaborative event organized by <a href=\"https:\/\/elevate215.org\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-start=\"115\" data-end=\"153\">Elevate 215<\/a> under the leadership of Executive Director LaTrista Webb, alongside several partner organizations including <a href=\"https:\/\/communityheropa.org\">Community Hero PA<\/a>, <span>Philadelphia Participatory Defense, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/philadelphia.branch\/\">NAACP Philadelphia,\u00a0<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/kaydenskorner.com\/\">Kaden\u2019s Korner<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/womxnbeyondborders.com\/\">Womxn Beyond Borders<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/p\/Eddies-House-100067768454567\/\">Eddie\u2019s House<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kskqphilly.org\/\">Kings Saving Kings and Queens<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>for a non-partisan judicial candidate forum for the Philadelphia local primary races.\u00a0 <\/span><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">This nonpartisan event allowed community members to hear directly from the candidates from a series of questions posed by three special hosts, all of whom had been impacted by the justice system.\u00a0 The event was well attended and <a href=\"https:\/\/wurdradio.com\/\">WURD Radio<\/a> held a live broadcast directly from the event hosted at Eddie&#8217;s House at <span>5901 Market St Suite 106, Philadelphia, PA 19139<\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"431\" data-end=\"479\">Understanding Pennsylvania&#8217;s Judicial System<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"481\" data-end=\"562\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Pennsylvania&#8217;s judiciary is structured into several levels, each with distinct responsibilities:<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"564\" data-end=\"1152\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"564\" data-end=\"681\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"566\" data-end=\"681\"><strong data-start=\"566\" data-end=\"598\">Philadelphia Municipal Court<\/strong>: <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">This court deals primarily with criminal offenses and preliminary hearings for felony charges. It also handles civil cases with claims up to $12,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and traffic violations. For example, if someone receives a traffic ticket or is involved in a minor civil dispute, their case would be heard here.<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"683\" data-end=\"806\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"685\" data-end=\"806\"><strong data-start=\"685\" data-end=\"723\">Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas<\/strong>: <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Judges in this court handle a variety of significant legal matters, including felony trials, major civil disputes, and family law cases such as divorce and custody. They also oversee matters involving orphans\u2019 court issues like wills, estates, and adoptions. Imagine a family navigating the complexities of a custody battle; the decisions made here can have lasting impacts on their lives.<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"808\" data-end=\"915\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"810\" data-end=\"915\"><strong data-start=\"810\" data-end=\"828\">Superior Court<\/strong>: <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">This appellate court reviews decisions from the Courts of Common Pleas in criminal and civil cases. For instance, if someone believes their trial was unfair due to legal errors, they can appeal to the Superior Court for a second look.<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"917\" data-end=\"1028\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"919\" data-end=\"1028\"><strong data-start=\"919\" data-end=\"941\">Commonwealth Court<\/strong>: <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Specializing in cases involving state and local governments, this court handles matters such as regulatory agency decisions and public sector legal disputes. Imagine a scenario where a local business challenges a state regulation they believe is unfair; the Commonwealth Court would be the venue for such a case.<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1030\" data-end=\"1152\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1032\" data-end=\"1152\"><strong data-start=\"1032\" data-end=\"1065\">Supreme Court of Pennsylvania<\/strong>: <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">As the highest court in the state, it has discretionary appellate jurisdiction and oversees the administration of the entire judicial system. Its decisions can have wide-reaching implications, such as determining the constitutionality of state laws.<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"1154\" data-end=\"1200\">The Real-Life Impact of Judicial Decisions<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1202\" data-end=\"1290\">Judicial rulings can have profound effects on individuals and communities. For instance:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1292\" data-end=\"1506\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1292\" data-end=\"1395\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1294\" data-end=\"1395\"><strong data-start=\"1294\" data-end=\"1308\">Family Law<\/strong>: <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Decisions in the Courts of Common Pleas regarding child custody or protection from abuse orders directly affect family dynamics and personal safety.<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1397\" data-end=\"1506\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1399\" data-end=\"1506\"><strong data-start=\"1399\" data-end=\"1419\">Criminal Justice<\/strong>: <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Appellate courts&#8217; interpretations of criminal law can influence sentencing guidelines and rehabilitation opportunities.<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"1508\" data-end=\"1553\">Candidates in the 2025 Judicial Elections<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1555\" data-end=\"1640\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">While not all candidates attended the &#8220;Judge the Judges&#8221; forum, it&#8217;s essential to be informed about those running for judicial positions:<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1642\" data-end=\"1682\"><strong data-start=\"1642\" data-end=\"1682\">Supreme Court (Retention Elections):<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1684\" data-end=\"1949\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1684\" data-end=\"1771\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1686\" data-end=\"1771\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Justice Christine Donohue<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1773\" data-end=\"1860\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1775\" data-end=\"1860\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Justice Kevin Dougherty<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1862\" data-end=\"1949\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1864\" data-end=\"1949\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Justice David Wecht<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1951\" data-end=\"1970\"><strong data-start=\"1951\" data-end=\"1970\">Superior Court:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1972\" data-end=\"2237\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1972\" data-end=\"2059\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1974\" data-end=\"2059\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Brandon Neuman (Democrat)<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2061\" data-end=\"2148\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2063\" data-end=\"2148\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Maria Battista (Republican)<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2150\" data-end=\"2237\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2152\" data-end=\"2237\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Ann Marie Wheatcraft (Republican)<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2239\" data-end=\"2262\"><strong data-start=\"2239\" data-end=\"2262\">Commonwealth Court:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2264\" data-end=\"2529\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2264\" data-end=\"2351\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2266\" data-end=\"2351\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Stella Tsai (Democrat)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2353\" data-end=\"2440\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2355\" data-end=\"2440\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Matthew Wolford (Republican)<\/span><span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2442\" data-end=\"2529\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2444\" data-end=\"2529\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Joshua Prince (Republican)<\/span><span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"2531\" data-end=\"2571\">The Importance of Judicial Elections<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2573\" data-end=\"2826\">Judges make decisions that can influence various aspects of daily life, from education policies and healthcare access to environmental regulations and civil liberties. <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Participating in judicial elections empowers citizens to shape the judiciary to reflect their values and uphold justice within the community.<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"2828\" data-end=\"2866\">Voter Turnout and Its Implications<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2868\" data-end=\"2953\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Historically, judicial elections in Pennsylvania have seen low voter turnout. For example, in the 2021 state Supreme Court election, only about 32% of registered voters cast their ballots. <strong>This low participation means that a small segment of the population decides on judges who make decisions affecting everyone.<\/strong><\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"2955\" data-end=\"2971\">Get Involved<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2973\" data-end=\"3003\">To ensure your voice is heard:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3005\" data-end=\"3229\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"3005\" data-end=\"3114\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3007\" data-end=\"3114\"><strong data-start=\"3007\" data-end=\"3027\">Register to Vote<\/strong>: <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">The deadline to register for the primary election is May 5, 2025.<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"3116\" data-end=\"3229\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3118\" data-end=\"3229\"><strong data-start=\"3118\" data-end=\"3142\">Primary Election Day<\/strong>: <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Mark your calendar for May 20, 2025, and make a plan to vote.<\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3231\" data-end=\"3455\">To learn more about the candidates and the judicial system, visit the <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pacourts.us\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"3301\" data-end=\"3368\">Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania<\/a>. <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Engage with community organizations, attend forums, and exercise your right to vote in the upcoming elections.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=&#8221;246208,246213,246171,246182,246219,246220,246163,246217,246218,246203,246183,246199,246201,246180,246202,246205,246204,246206,246210,246200,246198,246197,246196,246169,246148,246193,246192,246191,246181,246184,246185,246179,246186,246188,246189,246178,246177,246176,246173,246172,246161,246147,246162,246164,246165,246166,246167,246168,246170,246160,246151,246159,246158,246156,246155,246154,246153,246152,246141,246142,246143,246144,246149,246150,246140&#8243; posts_number=&#8221;12&#8243; show_title_and_caption=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;RGBA(255,255,255,0)&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n\r\n\t\t\t<div id=\"daexthefu-container\"\r\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"daexthefu-container daexthefu-layout-side-by-side daexthefu-alignment-left\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-post-id=\"246136\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-feedback\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-text\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"daexthefu-title\">Was this page helpful?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-buttons-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-buttons\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-yes daexthefu-button daexthefu-button-type-icon\" data-value=\"1\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n                <svg>\r\n                    <defs>\r\n                        <style>.happy-face-cls-1{fill:#c9c9c9;}.happy-face-cls-2{fill:#e1e1e1;}.happy-face-cls-3{fill:#676767;}<\/style>\r\n                    <\/defs>\r\n                    <g id=\"happy_face\">\r\n                        <circle class=\"happy-face-cls-1 daexthefu-icon-primary-color\" cx=\"24\" cy=\"24\" r=\"17\" \/>\r\n                        <path class=\"happy-face-cls-2 daexthefu-icon-circle\" d=\"m24,3c11.58,0,21,9.42,21,21s-9.42,21-21,21S3,35.58,3,24,12.42,3,24,3m0-1C11.85,2,2,11.85,2,24s9.85,22,22,22,22-9.85,22-22S36.15,2,24,2h0Z\" \/>\r\n                        <circle class=\"happy-face-cls-3 daexthefu-icon-secondary-color\" cx=\"18\" cy=\"22\" r=\"2\" \/>\r\n                        <circle class=\"happy-face-cls-3 daexthefu-icon-secondary-color\" cx=\"30\" cy=\"22\" r=\"2\" \/>\r\n                        <path class=\"happy-face-cls-3 daexthefu-icon-secondary-color\" d=\"m16.79,29c-1.19,0-1.89,1.31-1.25,2.32,1.77,2.81,4.9,4.68,8.47,4.68s6.7-1.87,8.47-4.68c.63-1.01-.06-2.32-1.25-2.32-3.67,0-10.76,0-14.43,0Z\" \/>\r\n                    <\/g>\r\n                <\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-no daexthefu-button daexthefu-button-type-icon\" data-value=\"0\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n                <svg>\r\n                    <defs>\r\n                        <style>\r\n                            .sad-face-cls-1{fill:#c9c9c9;}.sad-face-cls-2{fill:#676767;}.sad-face-cls-3{fill:#e1e1e1;}.sad-face-cls-4{fill:#676767;}\r\n                        <\/style>\r\n                    <\/defs>\r\n                    <g id=\"sad_face\">\r\n                        <circle class=\"sad-face-cls-1 daexthefu-icon-primary-color\" cx=\"24\" cy=\"24\" r=\"17\" \/>\r\n                        <path class=\"sad-face-cls-3 daexthefu-icon-circle\" d=\"m24,3c11.58,0,21,9.42,21,21s-9.42,21-21,21S3,35.58,3,24,12.42,3,24,3m0-1C11.85,2,2,11.85,2,24s9.85,22,22,22,22-9.85,22-22S36.15,2,24,2h0Z\" \/>\r\n                        <circle class=\"sad-face-cls-4 daexthefu-icon-secondary-color\" cx=\"18\" cy=\"22\" r=\"2\" \/>\r\n                        <circle class=\"sad-face-cls-4 daexthefu-icon-secondary-color\" cx=\"30\" cy=\"22\" r=\"2\" \/>\r\n                        <path class=\"sad-face-cls-2 daexthefu-icon-secondary-color\" d=\"M16.9,34.5c-0.4,0-0.8-0.1-1.1-0.4c-0.6-0.6-0.6-1.5,0-2.1c2.2-2.2,5.1-3.4,8.1-3.4c3.1,0,6,1.2,8.1,3.4\r\n                        c0.6,0.6,0.6,1.5,0,2.1s-1.5,0.6-2.1,0c-1.6-1.6-3.7-2.5-6-2.5s-4.4,0.9-6,2.5C17.7,34.4,17.3,34.5,16.9,34.5z\" \/>\r\n                    <\/g>\r\n                <\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-comment\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-comment-top-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<label id=\"daexthefu-comment-label\" class=\"daexthefu-comment-label\"><\/label>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-comment-character-counter-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"daexthefu-comment-character-counter-number\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"daexthefu-comment-character-counter-number\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-comment-character-counter-text\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<textarea id=\"daexthefu-comment-textarea\" class=\"daexthefu-comment-textarea\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaceholder=\"Type your message\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmaxlength=\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t400\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"><\/textarea>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-comment-buttons-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"daexthefu-comment-submit daexthefu-button\">Submit<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"daexthefu-comment-cancel daexthefu-button\">Cancel<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-successful-submission-text\">Thanks for your feedback!<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On April 29, 2025, community members gathered for the \u201cJudge the Judges\u201d forum, a collaborative event organized by Elevate 215 under the leadership of Executive Director LaTrista Webb, alongside several [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":246169,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<h2 class=\"\" data-start=\"238\" data-end=\"308\">Judge the Judges: Why Pennsylvania\u2019s 2025 Judicial Elections Matter<\/h2><p class=\"\" data-start=\"310\" data-end=\"429\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">On April 29, 2025, community members gathered for the \u201cJudge the Judges\u201d forum, a collaborative event organized by <a href=\"https:\/\/elevate215.org\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-start=\"115\" data-end=\"153\">Elevate 215<\/a> under the leadership of Executive Director LaTrista Webb, alongside several partner organizations.<\/span> <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">The forum aimed to demystify the judicial election process and emphasize the critical role judges play in shaping our daily lives.<\/span>\u200b<\/p><h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"431\" data-end=\"479\">Understanding Pennsylvania's Judicial System<\/h3><p class=\"\" data-start=\"481\" data-end=\"562\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Pennsylvania's judiciary is structured into several levels, each with distinct responsibilities:<\/span>\u200b<\/p><ul data-start=\"564\" data-end=\"1152\"><li class=\"\" data-start=\"564\" data-end=\"681\"><p class=\"\" data-start=\"566\" data-end=\"681\"><strong data-start=\"566\" data-end=\"598\">Philadelphia Municipal Court<\/strong>: <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">This court deals primarily with criminal offenses and preliminary hearings for felony charges. It also handles civil cases with claims up to $12,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and traffic violations. For example, if someone receives a traffic ticket or is involved in a minor civil dispute, their case would be heard here.<\/span>\u200b<\/p><\/li><li class=\"\" data-start=\"683\" data-end=\"806\"><p class=\"\" data-start=\"685\" data-end=\"806\"><strong data-start=\"685\" data-end=\"723\">Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas<\/strong>: <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Judges in this court handle a variety of significant legal matters, including felony trials, major civil disputes, and family law cases such as divorce and custody. They also oversee matters involving orphans\u2019 court issues like wills, estates, and adoptions. Imagine a family navigating the complexities of a custody battle; the decisions made here can have lasting impacts on their lives.<\/span>\u200b<\/p><\/li><li class=\"\" data-start=\"808\" data-end=\"915\"><p class=\"\" data-start=\"810\" data-end=\"915\"><strong data-start=\"810\" data-end=\"828\">Superior Court<\/strong>: <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">This appellate court reviews decisions from the Courts of Common Pleas in criminal and civil cases. For instance, if someone believes their trial was unfair due to legal errors, they can appeal to the Superior Court for a second look.<\/span>\u200b<\/p><\/li><li class=\"\" data-start=\"917\" data-end=\"1028\"><p class=\"\" data-start=\"919\" data-end=\"1028\"><strong data-start=\"919\" data-end=\"941\">Commonwealth Court<\/strong>: <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Specializing in cases involving state and local governments, this court handles matters such as regulatory agency decisions and public sector legal disputes. Imagine a scenario where a local business challenges a state regulation they believe is unfair; the Commonwealth Court would be the venue for such a case.<\/span>\u200b<\/p><\/li><li class=\"\" data-start=\"1030\" data-end=\"1152\"><p class=\"\" data-start=\"1032\" data-end=\"1152\"><strong data-start=\"1032\" data-end=\"1065\">Supreme Court of Pennsylvania<\/strong>: <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">As the highest court in the state, it has discretionary appellate jurisdiction and oversees the administration of the entire judicial system. Its decisions can have wide-reaching implications, such as determining the constitutionality of state laws.<\/span>\u200b<\/p><\/li><\/ul><h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"1154\" data-end=\"1200\">The Real-Life Impact of Judicial Decisions<\/h3><p class=\"\" data-start=\"1202\" data-end=\"1290\">Judicial rulings can have profound effects on individuals and communities. For instance:<\/p><ul data-start=\"1292\" data-end=\"1506\"><li class=\"\" data-start=\"1292\" data-end=\"1395\"><p class=\"\" data-start=\"1294\" data-end=\"1395\"><strong data-start=\"1294\" data-end=\"1308\">Family Law<\/strong>: <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Decisions in the Courts of Common Pleas regarding child custody or protection from abuse orders directly affect family dynamics and personal safety.<\/span>\u200b<\/p><\/li><li class=\"\" data-start=\"1397\" data-end=\"1506\"><p class=\"\" data-start=\"1399\" data-end=\"1506\"><strong data-start=\"1399\" data-end=\"1419\">Criminal Justice<\/strong>: <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Appellate courts' interpretations of criminal law can influence sentencing guidelines and rehabilitation opportunities.<\/span>\u200b<\/p><\/li><\/ul><h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"1508\" data-end=\"1553\">Candidates in the 2025 Judicial Elections<\/h3><p class=\"\" data-start=\"1555\" data-end=\"1640\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">While not all candidates attended the \"Judge the Judges\" forum, it's essential to be informed about those running for judicial positions:<\/span>\u200b<\/p><p class=\"\" data-start=\"1642\" data-end=\"1682\"><strong data-start=\"1642\" data-end=\"1682\">Supreme Court (Retention Elections):<\/strong><\/p><ul data-start=\"1684\" data-end=\"1949\"><li class=\"\" data-start=\"1684\" data-end=\"1771\"><p class=\"\" data-start=\"1686\" data-end=\"1771\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Justice Christine Donohue<\/span>\u200b<\/p><\/li><li class=\"\" data-start=\"1773\" data-end=\"1860\"><p class=\"\" data-start=\"1775\" data-end=\"1860\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Justice Kevin Dougherty<\/span>\u200b<\/p><\/li><li class=\"\" data-start=\"1862\" data-end=\"1949\"><p class=\"\" data-start=\"1864\" data-end=\"1949\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Justice David Wecht<\/span>\u200b<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p class=\"\" data-start=\"1951\" data-end=\"1970\"><strong data-start=\"1951\" data-end=\"1970\">Superior Court:<\/strong><\/p><ul data-start=\"1972\" data-end=\"2237\"><li class=\"\" data-start=\"1972\" data-end=\"2059\"><p class=\"\" data-start=\"1974\" data-end=\"2059\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Brandon Neuman (Democrat)<\/span>\u200b<\/p><\/li><li class=\"\" data-start=\"2061\" data-end=\"2148\"><p class=\"\" data-start=\"2063\" data-end=\"2148\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Maria Battista (Republican)<\/span>\u200b<\/p><\/li><li class=\"\" data-start=\"2150\" data-end=\"2237\"><p class=\"\" data-start=\"2152\" data-end=\"2237\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Ann Marie Wheatcraft (Republican)<\/span>\u200b<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p class=\"\" data-start=\"2239\" data-end=\"2262\"><strong data-start=\"2239\" data-end=\"2262\">Commonwealth Court:<\/strong><\/p><ul data-start=\"2264\" data-end=\"2529\"><li class=\"\" data-start=\"2264\" data-end=\"2351\"><p class=\"\" data-start=\"2266\" data-end=\"2351\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Stella Tsai (Democrat)<\/span>\u200b<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2025_Pennsylvania_elections?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">Wikipedia<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p><\/li><li class=\"\" data-start=\"2353\" data-end=\"2440\"><p class=\"\" data-start=\"2355\" data-end=\"2440\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Matthew Wolford (Republican)<\/span>\u200b<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2025_United_States_judicial_elections?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">Wikipedia<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p><\/li><li class=\"\" data-start=\"2442\" data-end=\"2529\"><p class=\"\" data-start=\"2444\" data-end=\"2529\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Joshua Prince (Republican)<\/span>\u200b<span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[0.5625em] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/2025_United_States_judicial_elections?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between overflow-hidden\"><span class=\"max-w-full grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">Wikipedia<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul><h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"2531\" data-end=\"2571\">The Importance of Judicial Elections<\/h3><p class=\"\" data-start=\"2573\" data-end=\"2826\">Judges make decisions that can influence various aspects of daily life, from education policies and healthcare access to environmental regulations and civil liberties. <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Participating in judicial elections empowers citizens to shape the judiciary to reflect their values and uphold justice within the community.<\/span>\u200b<\/p><h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"2828\" data-end=\"2866\">Voter Turnout and Its Implications<\/h3><p class=\"\" data-start=\"2868\" data-end=\"2953\"><span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Historically, judicial elections in Pennsylvania have seen low voter turnout. For example, in the 2021 state Supreme Court election, only about 32% of registered voters cast their ballots. This low participation means that a small segment of the population decides on judges who make decisions affecting everyone.<\/span>\u200b<\/p><h3 class=\"\" data-start=\"2955\" data-end=\"2971\">Get Involved<\/h3><p class=\"\" data-start=\"2973\" data-end=\"3003\">To ensure your voice is heard:<\/p><ul data-start=\"3005\" data-end=\"3229\"><li class=\"\" data-start=\"3005\" data-end=\"3114\"><p class=\"\" data-start=\"3007\" data-end=\"3114\"><strong data-start=\"3007\" data-end=\"3027\">Register to Vote<\/strong>: <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">The deadline to register for the primary election is May 5, 2025.<\/span>\u200b<\/p><\/li><li class=\"\" data-start=\"3116\" data-end=\"3229\"><p class=\"\" data-start=\"3118\" data-end=\"3229\"><strong data-start=\"3118\" data-end=\"3142\">Primary Election Day<\/strong>: <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Mark your calendar for May 20, 2025, and make a plan to vote.<\/span>\u200b<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p class=\"\" data-start=\"3231\" data-end=\"3455\">To learn more about the candidates and the judicial system, visit the <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pacourts.us\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"3301\" data-end=\"3368\">Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania<\/a>. <span class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\">Engage with community organizations, attend forums, and exercise your right to vote in the upcoming elections.<\/span><\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","_helpful_status":1,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-246136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/communityheropa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246136","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/communityheropa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/communityheropa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/communityheropa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/communityheropa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=246136"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/communityheropa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246136\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":246225,"href":"https:\/\/communityheropa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246136\/revisions\/246225"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/communityheropa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/246169"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/communityheropa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=246136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/communityheropa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=246136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/communityheropa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=246136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}