New president judge shakes up Washington County’s judicial assignments
The new president judge in Washington County is shaking up the judicial assignments a little more than a month after he took the top position in the courthouse.
In an order filed Wednesday, President Judge Gary Gilman made several changes to what types of cases each of the seven judges will hear beginning in June, with the schedule continuing through the remainder of the year and 2025.
Judge Brandon Neuman will be handling civil cases while Judge Traci McDonald and Judge Valarie Costanzo will be dealing with criminal court cases. Judge Jesse Pettit will once again be handling family cases.
The changes come about two months after an order from former president Judge John DiSalle took effect, with various changes. Gilman took over as president judge last month after Disalle announced he was stepping aside from the leadership position, although he still remains on the bench.
“The new president judge decided to assign cases differently,” Court Administrator Patrick Grimm said Thursday. “Once you change one assignment, it’s like dominoes. It’s like a puzzle, once you change one you have to fit the other pieces together.”
Grimm said he expects the judicial alignment to remain in effect without any other changes in the near future. All judges will also rotate hearing protection from abuse cases.
“I don’t anticipate any other significant changes,” Grimm said about the assignments moving forward.
Costanzo has handled criminal cases for several years, but was moved to family and dependency court this year. She now returns in a role that has been very familiar for her.
“While I’m pleased to be returning to the criminal trial docket, I’m honored to serve the residents of Washington County in whatever manner the president judge deems appropriate,” Costanzo said in a written statement.
Pettit, who is the newest judge on the court, previously handled family court, and will be doing so again.
Gilman will transition to helping with family and dependency cases, along with carrying out administrative duties meant for the president judge.
“This is really precipitated with me taking on the juvenile docket. There’s so much going on of late with the juvenile delinquency administration,” Gilman said about the reason for the change. “There’s so much going on there and I think the president judge should (oversee) that. When one thing changes, other things have to change, too.”
DiSalle will continue with problem-solving court and orphans’ court. Judge Michael Lucas will continue with civil proceedings as he has done for several years.