Judge Cleland to Head Commission

As expected, Superior Court Judge John Cleland has been named chairman of the newly formed Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice.

The commission is being formed to investigate circumstances that led to corruption in the juvenile court of Luzerne County.

Cleland was president judge of the McKean County Court of Common Pleas from 1984 to 2008. He was appointed to the Superior Court last year to fill a term that expires at the end of this year. Cleland is a member of the state Juvenile Court Judges Commission.

Earlier this year, federal charges were filed against two former Luzerne County judges accused of receiving $2.6 million in kickbacks from the developer and owner of two detention facilities.

"What we have see is what happens when the rule of law breaks down," Cleland said. "When the rule of law breaks down, it implicates all branches of government. So it is absolutely appropriate that we all look at this together and figure out what to do."

The commission has until May of next year to file a report with recommendations to the Supreme Court, the governor and the Legislature.

From the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts