Trending
A proposal to expand two magisterial district boundaries to balance workloads between four magisterial district judges is available for public review.
The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts' proposal would shift two city wards from District Judge Christian Frey's office to District Judge Aaron Biichle's office in 2023 and three precincts in Loyalsock Township from District Judge Gary Whiteman's office to District Judge William Solomon's office in 2024.
Under the proposal, Williamsport Wards 8 and 9 will transfer to District Judge Biichle's office, MDJ 29-1-02, joining wards 1, 2, 10, 11, 12 and 13. This will leave District Judge Frey's office, MDJ 29-1-01, with wards 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
District Judge Frey's office indicated an excess of 10,101 workloads, which is 32 percent greater than the average for the judicial district. In comparison, District Judge Biichle's office reported a difference of 5,002 workloads, 16 percent greater than the judicial district's average.
Furthermore, western-most Loyalsock Township precincts 1, 2 and 6 will move from District Judge Whiteman's office, MDJ 29-3-02, to District Judge Solomon's office, MDJ 29-3-04.
This will leave Whiteman's office with Montoursville and South Williamsport Boroughs; Loyalsock Township precincts 4, 5 and 7; and Cascade, Eldred, Fairfield, Gamble, Plunketts Creek and Upper Fairfield Townships.
Judge Solomon's office will add the new precincts to precinct 3 of Loyalsock Township in addition to Armstrong, Cogan House, Hepburg, Jackson, Lewis, Lycoming, McIntyre, McNett, Old Lycoming and Susquehanna Townships. Solomon also oversees magisterial cases for DuBoistown Borough.
District Judge Whiteman's office reported an excess of 8,628 workloads, 28% greater than the average. District Judge Solomon's office reported a difference of 11,381 below the judicial district's average, 37% less than the judicial district's average.
A workload is a modified count of a judge's caseload that is increased or decreased based on the amount of time required to oversee a particular type of case, according to district court administrator Adrianne Stahl.
Stahl said traffic cases are of a lower workload than criminal cases, and take less time to process.
Copies of the proposed plan may be reviewed at the office of district court administrator at the Lycoming County Courthouse. Additionally, the public can access copies at the James V. Brown Library and at each of the magisterial district courts in the county.
Comments on the proposed plan must be submitted in writing and received by Stahl by Feb. 18, 2022.