Current:Home > reviewsTemporary clerk to be appointed after sudden departures from one Pennsylvania county court -Ascend Finance Compass
Temporary clerk to be appointed after sudden departures from one Pennsylvania county court
View
Date:2025-04-12 20:00:44
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A temporary official will be appointed to run one Pennsylvania county court system after the court clerk and two deputies departed on the eve of criminal contempt proceedings about performance at the office.
The “unprecedented leadership void” as of Friday in the Dauphin County clerk of courts office prompted the state Supreme Court to declare a “judicial emergency” and order the county’s president judge to appoint a temporary acting clerk. That person will serve until Gov. Josh Shapiro appoints an acting clerk, which is normally an elected position.
PennLive.com reports that the clerk of courts and the first deputy of the office resigned late Friday afternoon and the second deputy was fired. The abrupt departures followed “months of crisis” in the office that saw problems such as defendants stranded in jail, others picked up on bench warrants that should have been terminated and incorrectly recorded case dispositions and sentences, the outlet reported.
In May, the county’s president judge ordered the clerk of courts office to correct the problems or be held in contempt. A criminal contempt proceeding had been scheduled for Monday.
“While the clerk is an independently elected official, the efficient and effective operation of the office is critical to ensuring that the courts remain accessible,” Chief Justice Debra Todd said in a statement, also noting the need to ensure that “the essential recordkeeping function” of the office is maintained.
The abrupt departure of the clerk and two deputies necessitated “swift action,” the high court said.
veryGood! (41)
Related
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Middle America
- 2022 model Jeep and Ram vehicles under investigation by feds after multiple safety complaints
- U.S. Navy pilot becomes first American woman to engage and kill an air-to-air contact
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- Bridgerton Unveils Season 4’s Romantic Lead
- Paris Olympics: LeBron James to Serve as Flagbearer for Team USA at Opening Ceremony
- 2024 NFL record projections: Chiefs rule regular season, but is three-peat ahead?
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Florida’s population passes 23 million for the first time due to residents moving from other states
Ranking
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Beach Volleyball’s Miles Evans Reveals What He Eats in a Day Ahead of Paris Olympics
- Psst! Banana Republic’s Summer Sale Is Full of Cute Workwear up to 60% Off, Plus 20% off Select Styles
- Man is arrested in the weekend killing of a Detroit-area police officer
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- Miss Kansas Alexis Smith Calls Out Her Alleged Abuser Onstage in Viral Video
- Children of Gaza
- Psst! Banana Republic’s Summer Sale Is Full of Cute Workwear up to 60% Off, Plus 20% off Select Styles
Recommendation
The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
Blake Lively and Gigi Hadid Are Simply the Perfect Match With Deadpool & Wolverine After-Party Looks
Andy Murray Announces He’s Retiring From Tennis After 2024 Olympics
A look at Kamala Harris' work on foreign policy as vice president
Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
Rapper Snoop Dogg to carry Olympic torch ahead of Paris opening ceremony
This state was named the best place to retire in the U.S.
Hiker runs out of water, dies in scorching heat near Utah state park, authorities say