Judge Appointed to Review
'Kids for Cash' Cases Finishes His Work
A judge appointed nearly three years ago to review thousands of juvenile convictions following the “Kids for Cash” scandal in Luzerne County has finished his work.
The state Supreme Court said today that Berks County Senior Judge Arthur Grim has completed his review of cases handled by former Judge Mark Ciavarella, Jr. The justices returned control of all juvenile court functions to the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas.
Ciavarella was sentenced to 28 years in federal prison for taking $1 million in bribes from the owner and builder of a pair of for-profit youth detention centers. Former judge Michael Conahan pleaded guilty and is serving a 17-year prison term.
The Supreme Court followed Grim's 2009 recommendation and dismissed the convictions of more than 2,000 juvenile offenders. The justices said Ciavarella disregarded the youths' constitutional rights, including the right to legal counsel and the right to intelligently enter a plea.
Judge John Cleland of McKean County, who chaired the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice, declared the corruption "a systematic breakdown in the rule of law."
The state Legislature has since taken action on many of the recommendations suggested by the commission.
http://1490newsblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/committee-approves-juvenile-justice.html
To read more about today's decision go here. PDF
The news leader of the Twin Tiers ...
since 1947
The state Supreme Court said today that Berks County Senior Judge Arthur Grim has completed his review of cases handled by former Judge Mark Ciavarella, Jr. The justices returned control of all juvenile court functions to the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas.
Ciavarella was sentenced to 28 years in federal prison for taking $1 million in bribes from the owner and builder of a pair of for-profit youth detention centers. Former judge Michael Conahan pleaded guilty and is serving a 17-year prison term.
The Supreme Court followed Grim's 2009 recommendation and dismissed the convictions of more than 2,000 juvenile offenders. The justices said Ciavarella disregarded the youths' constitutional rights, including the right to legal counsel and the right to intelligently enter a plea.
Judge John Cleland of McKean County, who chaired the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice, declared the corruption "a systematic breakdown in the rule of law."
The state Legislature has since taken action on many of the recommendations suggested by the commission.
http://1490newsblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/committee-approves-juvenile-justice.html
To read more about today's decision go here. PDF
The news leader of the Twin Tiers ...since 1947
.jpg)
Comments