Dec 19, 2014 2 min read

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Washington County President Judge Debbie O’Dell Seneca was relieved of her administrative duties Nov. 5. Senior Judge Joseph M. James, a former administrative judge and president judge of Allegheny County, was appointed as interim administrative judge of Washington County.

O’Dell Seneca continues to serve as president judge and carry a full caseload, while James is responsible for all administrative and operational matters.

In a news release from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille said, “New perspective, renewed collegiality and greater collaboration are values that often result when administrative leadership in a judicial district changes. Judge James’ appointment is an opportunity to strengthen the Washington County bench in light of challenges the court system has experienced in recent years, including judicial vacancies and time-consuming, complex litigation.”

O’Dell Seneca has held the president judge position, which pays $175,306, for the last 10 years. In 2011, O’Dell Seneca won retention for a third 10-year term by a margin of nearly 2 to 1. Her term ends in 2021. James is being paid $536 per day.

An AOPC representative claimed he was unaware of the reason or reasons behind the intervention, but less than a week later, the five other Washington County Common Pleas judges revealed they contacted the AOPC for assistance because of their longstanding concerns over O’Dell Seneca’s court administration and managerial decisions.