tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430253580669566245.post2491683328879221628..comments2023-06-25T07:12:51.363-04:00Comments on Infinonymous: Prominent Pittsburgh Cases Generate Curious Connections Of Geography To Magisterial JusticeInfinonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523717432084762839noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430253580669566245.post-28134393875874033222010-11-17T20:10:42.225-05:002010-11-17T20:10:42.225-05:00Maybe they should try to even out the crime by mov...Maybe they should try to even out the crime by moving potential flash points like Mallorca or Nakama to Squirrel Hill?MHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430253580669566245.post-71234464543539572342010-11-17T20:08:04.434-05:002010-11-17T20:08:04.434-05:00That appears to be an informed, reasoned analysis....That appears to be an informed, reasoned analysis.<br /><br />Not enough to entirely dismiss speculation that certain cases are being steered (perhaps by postponements or other timing methods) to particular magistrates -- the Lawrenceville firefighters deal seems especially fishy -- but enough to slow the speculation.<br /><br />Thank you, Patrick.Infinonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02523717432084762839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430253580669566245.post-22512717960557552162010-11-17T19:36:17.472-05:002010-11-17T19:36:17.472-05:00Preliminary Hearings on police arrests in the City...Preliminary Hearings on police arrests in the City of Pgh are heard at the Municipal Courts bldg by elected magistrates who have districts that cover parts of the city - there is a schedule, and each of them must preside over several sessions per week/month.<br />There are some sessions when no city magistrates are available (vacations, illnesses, etc), and magistrates from other parts of the county can be assigned to preside.<br /><br />If the Kennedy officer ran over someone in McKees Rocks, it would be heard by Mary Ann Cercone (that's in her district).<br />Because he ran someone over in Pittsburgh, it's heard at City Court, and whichever judge is assigned to preside at that session hears the case. <br /><br />For City arrests, there is no attempt to put crimes that occur in a particualar magisterial district before that magistrate alone - it could end up in front of any City magistrate. In any given court session, there are cases from all over the city in front of that magistrate.<br /><br />This is done for reasons of efficiency - some districts (Cooper's in the 12th&13th Wards, Rushing's which covers the lower North Side) may have lots of arrests, while others may be significantly less busy in terms of a criminal docket (Firestone, Hanley in Sq Hill and Greenfield/Lincoln Place, respectively). Instead of paying constables or Sheriff deputies to transport prisoners from the ACJ to 13 different MDJ offices, and to have police personel shuffling back-and-forth between all of those offices, the city prefers to centralize. It's easier to keep track of which cops are showing up for court (or not), and the Municipal Courts bldg is attached to the ACJ, so costs are held down.<br /><br />My solution? Instead of breaking down the city into 13 magisterial districts, have 13 judges (or so) run city-wide. Any potential gripes about jurisdiction are erased.Patricknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430253580669566245.post-76086939002552020072010-11-17T16:57:43.906-05:002010-11-17T16:57:43.906-05:00"unlawful use of his hose"...good one!"unlawful use of his hose"...good one!what's really importantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430253580669566245.post-59305320878310435352010-11-17T16:09:08.070-05:002010-11-17T16:09:08.070-05:00Rex:
The complete ward map, and the roster of mag...Rex:<br /><br />The complete ward map, and the roster of magisterial districts, are linked.<br /><br />Since when are defendants taken to the magistrate where they (and, more important, their families)live, rather than to the court where the incident occurred?<br /><br />Does this occur regularly, or just when a big-time Pitt football player, a politically connected firefighter, an inmate brutally beaten by jail guards, or a police officer defendant is involved? <br /><br />Just asking.Infinonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02523717432084762839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430253580669566245.post-66955128870320345202010-11-17T15:39:05.861-05:002010-11-17T15:39:05.861-05:00I don't know if I'm correct about the term...I don't know if I'm correct about the terminology. I know that magistrates serve so many hours per month or week 'downtown.' I'm not sure what all takes place during their time 'downtown.' <br /><br />I know someone who is planning to run for magistrate up in my area who has been talking to me about what magistrates do and I know he mentioned that if he wins he would have to go downtown every once in a while.NorthPGH Progressivehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00788183511232621734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430253580669566245.post-66915655467823767802010-11-17T15:37:14.750-05:002010-11-17T15:37:14.750-05:00East Liberty and the western edge of Larimer. Can...East Liberty and the western edge of Larimer. Can't forget those.Rexnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430253580669566245.post-64656291464665988312010-11-17T15:36:02.735-05:002010-11-17T15:36:02.735-05:00Infy -
Costa's Magisterial District includes...Infy - <br /><br />Costa's Magisterial District includes Bloomfield, Garfield and Friendship as well.<br /><br />Just making sure we covered the entire Magisterial DistrictRexnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430253580669566245.post-52651700354426310352010-11-17T13:51:10.894-05:002010-11-17T13:51:10.894-05:00none of these cases look like they were emergencie...none of these cases look like they were emergencies, some of them actually had postponements according to the newapaper so, special after hours schedules don't seem to explain much at least not the way I see it<br /><br />but good info on the details, sounds like you know your stuffCourt jesternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430253580669566245.post-23889127777577867072010-11-17T13:41:16.852-05:002010-11-17T13:41:16.852-05:00The magistrate judges are assigned to the Arraignm...The magistrate judges are assigned to the Arraignment Court so many hours per month. My guess is that is why these cases don't match up to the magistrate's individual jurisdictions. <br /><br />In order to comply with the Supreme Court’s requirements governing the continuous availability of judicial services, Magisterial District Judges are assigned to preside in Arraignment Court. This court is located in the Municipal Courts Building, 600 First Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and operates 24-hours a day, 7-days a week including weekends and holidays. This assignment, scheduled on a rotational basis among forty-nine Magisterial District Judges, assures that the Fifth Judicial District has services available during non-regular business hours. While at Arraignment Court, Magisterial District Judges have jurisdiction to conduct the following duties:<br /> <br /> • Issue warrants of arrest and search warrants <br /> • Conduct preliminary arraignments <br /> • Establish bail <br /> • Issue emergency Protection From Abuse orders <br /> • Conduct marriage ceremoniesNorthPGH Progressivehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00788183511232621734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430253580669566245.post-13955729523131802492010-11-17T11:32:06.475-05:002010-11-17T11:32:06.475-05:00wow. this is sick. i heard cooper was horrible o...wow. this is sick. i heard cooper was horrible outside of the g-20 stuff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com