New judges to be sworn in Jan. 2
Washington County Courthouse
Valarie Costanzo
Mike Lucas
Swearing-in ceremonies for Common Pleas Court judges and magisterial district judges are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, in Courtroom No. 1 in Washington County Courthouse.
An oath-taking ceremony for Sheriff Samuel Romano and county Controller Michael Namie will follow at 10 a.m.
Recorder of Deeds Debbie Bardella has, for the second time, opted for a private ceremony.
“The two most important people I would want to be there are my children, and they’ll both be at work” Jan. 2, Bardella said Friday.
Oaths of office can be administered anytime after the state certifies election results, and no later than Jan. 2. Bardella said Mary Helicke, Washington County chief clerk, will swear her in this month.
Once they don their black robes, Washington County’s two newest judges will split the family law caseload, and Judge-elect Valarie Costanzo also will conduct criminal jury trials and nonjury trials, according to administrative regulations set down by Washington County Court President Judge Debbie O’Dell Seneca.
The family law cases assigned to Costanzo and Judge-elect Michael Lucas will include protection-from-abuse cases.
Until she resigns to take a seat on the Washington County bench, Costanzo will be wrapping up nearly three terms as the district judge for Cecil, Robinson and Mt. Pleasant townships and McDonald Borough.
Lucas has been Washington County’s first assistant district attorney. He will handle juvenile court dependency and back up Judge Gary Gilman in juvenile court delinquency cases.
The newest judges will be working in courtrooms on the first floor of the courthouse. Lucas’ courtroom will be No. 6, used by Judge Janet Moschetta Bell until her retirement last year. Costanzo’s courtroom has been used by Allegheny County Visiting Judge Edward Borkowski.
In a change from his assignment since becoming a judge in 2012, Gilman also will be presiding over criminal jury and nonjury trials. But Gilman intends to remain in the sole courtroom on the third floor of the courthouse.
Judge John F. DiSalle will continue to preside over criminal jury and nonjury trials. He also will hear appeals of summary cases and license suspensions and preside over the restrictive treatment program.
DiSalle, Gilman and Costanzo will handle drunken driving cases through pleas and assignment to the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program on a rotating basis, each responsible for one month per quarter.
Judge Katherine B. Emery will no longer handle the criminal docket. She has been assigned to civil jury and nonjury trials, orphan’s court and back-up for O’Dell Seneca in mental health court. Emery also has been designated to handle the excusing of prospective jurors.
O’Dell Seneca will handle civil jury and nonjury trials, including asbestos litigation; mental health civil procedures and appeals; mental health criminal court, veterans court and mortgage foreclosure court. Among the president judge’s duties are overseeing the minor judiciary and representing the court on the Washington County Salary Board.