Jay Weller to retire after 25 years as district judge
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
District Judge Jay Weller is shown Monday at his office in North Strabane Township. He is retiring at the beginning of the year.
District Judge Jay Weller is shown Monday at his office in North Strabane Township. He is retiring at the beginning of the year.
For the last 25 years, he has heard everything from squabbles between neighbors to the details of brutal domestic confrontations and fatal vehicle crashes.
But District Judge Jay Weller says enough is enough and it is time to step down and away from hearing cases involving North and South Strabane townships and, more recently, East Washington.
“When I ran for office a year ago, I had every intention of completing my term,” Weller said. “But the job has gotten so, so busy. Over the last year, I decided it came time to finish.
“I have just hit the wall,” said the 64-year-old. “I just don’t want to do it anymore. It is time, and I am lucky enough to have my health.”
Weller notified President Judge Katherine B. Emery and submitted his letter of resignation to Gov. Tom Wolf. His resignation will go into effect at the close of business Jan. 4, 2019. Weller said that will leave the office vacant for 10 months, enabling the opening to be placed on the ballot for the May 21, 2019, primary election.
Weller said he has been in the criminal justice system for 42 years, first as a police officer in Peters Township and then two years as a counselor in the juvenile justice system, before running for district judge after Henry Mavrich retired. Weller defeated Tim Mavrich, a son of Henry Mavrich who had been appointed to fill the vacancy until the next election.
Weller said the magisterial courts are the grassroots of the state’s judicial system. He said he has always tried to get each and every case correct because he knew it was important to the people who appeared before him. Weller said he had a great passion for protecting the rights of victims and witnesses while guaranteeing the rights of the accused.
“I have always believed I was hired by the people to hold those who have violated the laws of our community accountable for their behavior in a fair and compassionate manner,” Weller said. “I have attempted to do that in every case.
“There have been many difficult days in court as a district judge, facing individuals who engage in behavior that is not only personally destructive, but also destroys the lives of their families and community,” he added. “Frankly, it has worn on me.”
The caseload handled by the office has dramatically increased over the past 25 years. Weller said when he took office, he had 4,200 traffic, criminal, civil and landlord-tenant cases.
“Last year, we have 5,200 just in traffic cases,” the judge said. “That doesn’t include all the others. We are just busy.”
Weller said he would be remiss if he did not thank his staff, who he said have faithfully served the public over the past 25 years with humility and integrity. He said his office has collected and distributed millions in fines, costs and restitution, and balanced the books to the penny. He also thanked the police officers, attorneys and social workers who make the community better.
Weller also taught criminal justice at California University of Pennsylvania for several years after the program began at the school.
“It has been nice to see some of my former students come into my courtroom as troopers, local police, federal agents and even lawyers,” Weller said. “They are there as colleagues.
“As I leave my position, I will remember the many wonderful people I have had the opportunity to meet,” the judge said. “I want to thank the people of this community for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime.”