Many interested in W-B judge post

WILKES-BARRE – You can expect many names to circulate over the next couple months as potential successors to William Amesbury’s soon-to-be-vacant magisterial district judge post begin to surface.

“I’ve been approached by several people already today looking for my support,” said city Mayor Tom Leighton. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see 35 people or more go after that job.”

Amesbury has held the post since 2002, and Tuesday he was elected judge of the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas. Amesbury will assume his new duties on the first Monday of January.

The current annual salary for a district judge is $80,927, said Art Heinz, spokesman for the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts in Harrisburg. Heinz said the salary is the same for all district judges, regardless of where they serve or how many years of experience.

Leighton said he expects many meetings and discussions over the next two months to come up with a candidate. Individuals can apply for the post on their own without party endorsement.

“When things calm down, we’ll see who is interested and begin the process,” Leighton said. “When a candidate is agreed on, the 6th District Democrats would probably send a letter on behalf of their preferred candidate.”

Heinz said the process to fill a vacant district judge’s seat is similar to the process to select judicial appointees. He said once a vacancy in the office occurs, the governor must appoint someone to fill the position.

“The appointee is subject to confirmation by the state Senate,” Heinz said. “But in the case of a magisterial district judge, a simple majority of the state Senate is required; whereas in the case of a Court of Common Pleas judge, two-thirds confirmation of the Senate is required.”

Heinz said the confirmed appointee would serve until the next municipal election – always held in an odd numbered year – wherein voters will elect someone to a full six-year term. In this case an appointee would serve through 2011.

Attorney Bill Vinsko, Wilkes-Barre City’s assistant solicitor, said he has interest in the position. Vinsko’s law firm – Vinsko & Associates – is housed in the same building on South Franklin Street that is the home of Amesbury’s legal practice.

“Yes I would like to be considered for that position,” Vinsko said. “If I was approached about it, I would send a letter of intent to Harrisburg expressing my interest in the position.”

Attorneys are qualified to assume the position, and non-lawyers must complete a four-week course and final examination. According to the Major Judiciary Education Board, the four-week course covers criminal law and procedure, civil law and procedure, rules of evidence, ethics, motor vehicle law, arrest/search and seizure, state Drug/Device and Cosmetics Act and the Pennsylvania Crimes Code.

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