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Judge: New unit will speed assessments

3 min read
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The Washington County court system continues to grow and change to meet the needs of county residents, President Judge Katherine B. Emery told attorneys Friday during their annual winter meeting.

“Last year, I promised to seek your input, and I think I fulfilled that promise,” Emery said during her State of the Judiciary address at the Hilton Garden Inn in Southpointe.

“We ask ourselves, are we meeting the needs of the residents of Washington County,” Emery posed during the lunch portion of the winter bench-bar conference conducted by the Washington County Bar Association and at which attorneys attend seminars and earn continued education credits.

“That is a more difficult question.”

Emery, who was appointed president judge a year ago after the retirement of Debbie O’Dell Seneca, outlined physical changes that have occurred at the courthouse in the past year, including the installation of an elevator, moving courtrooms and revamping the judges’ library.

Emery also spoke about changes that have occurred from an operational standpoint, including the creation of a pretrial services unit that moves up defendants’ evaluations, including those for drugs and alcohol use, closer to the time of arrest instead of during the sentencing phase, as has been the practice.

“It (the unit) is about to start,” Emery said.

“Every inmate will be assessed within 48 hours. It will reduce the jail population and recidivism and hopefully help those in need of treatment.”

A new jury management system also is set to be implemented this year, Emery said.

The president judge said juvenile court also continues to be a priority.

“We are striving the meet the needs of children, expecially with the heroin problem.” Emery said. “A teenager told me it is easier to buy heroin than beer.”

Plans also are being put into place in the court system to address the expected influx of appeals after countywide reassessments are released this year, she said.

Emery said she is encouraged by the dedication of the judges with whom she works each day.

“Each judge has offered to do more,” Emery said.

Emery encouraged the attorneys to get involved in the community and outlined opportunities including serving as judges and scorers for high school mock trials, attending the summer bench-bar, participating in the Memorial Minute that pays tribute to bar association members who have passed away and doing pro bono work.

“You will get back more than you give,” Emery said, “Stay involved, and make a difference.”

Washington County Bar Association President Edward C. Morasczyk echoed Emery’s statements and emphasized that the group continues to grow.

“We are admitting new members every month,” Morasczyk said. “The goal is to help integrate young lawyers.”

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