MERCER COUNTY Officials: hiring judge is helpful

Two judge's posts will be up for election next year.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
MERCER, Pa. -- News that a fourth judge position is coming to Mercer County has officials hopeful that the court system will soon become more efficient.
County officials received word last week that the state Legislature approved a fourth judgeship for Mercer.
Lawmakers also approved additional judge's positions in nine other counties.
The measure still needs Gov. Mark Schweiker's approval. He is expected to sign it sometime before the end of the year.
"Mercer County has been at three judges for over 20 years. The workload has reached the point where we started looking for more help," said Peter Morin, county court administrator.
The new judge won't take office until January 2004, as well as the person elected to fill the position of retiring Judge Michael Wherry.
Both spots will be up for election next year.
Benefits
Morin said the fourth judge should help dispose of pending cases more quickly.
He noted that case filings in criminal and civil cases have increased over the last several years.
Mercer County judges handle criminal, civil and family court matters, he added.
State legislators created the county's third common pleas court judge's position in 1980, and Judge Francis J. Forinelli was elected the following year.
Judge Forinelli is now the county's president judge.
State Sen. Robert Robbins of Salem Township, R-50th, said court officials came to him earlier in the year to express their need for an additional judge.
"This will assist in better handling the cases before Mercer County's courts," Robbins said.