Luzerne County Judges

Luzerne County Court expresses optimism about its future as vacancies are filled and scandal fades into the past

By Terrie Morgan-Besecker tmorgan@timesleader.com
Law & Order Reporter
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WILKES-BARRE – Saying the county has taken a “giant step” forward in restoring trust in the judiciary, Luzerne County President Judge Thomas Burke welcomed Joseph Van Jura and Lewis W. Wetzel as the newest additions to the county bench Friday afternoon.

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New Luzerne County Judge Joseph Van Jura laughs with his wife, Rebecca, and their daughters who helped him into his judicial robe. Van Jura was one of two new judges to be seated on Friday.

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Lewis Wetzel is administered the oath of office by President Judge Thomas Burke as Wetzel’s wife, Veronica, holds the Bible.

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Appearing before a standing-room-only crowd at the county courthouse, Van Jura and Wetzel were greeted with a loud round of applause as they finished reciting the oath of office, promising to discharge their duties with fidelity.

It is an oath, Burke commented, that has never been more important than it is today as the county works to rebound from the scandal that resulted in criminal charges against three judges.

Van Jura and Wetzel vowed: They will not disappoint.

“I’m distinctly privileged and profoundly honored to be standing here today,” Van Jura said after completing the oath administered by Senior Judge Chester Muroski. “I’ve spent 37 years at this courthouse. What I always expected and got, most of the time, but not all the time, is fairness, impartiality, and professional and personal courtesy. I am here to provide you that.”

Wetzel, who took the oath administered by Burke, spoke of the many great, dedicated judges who have passed through the halls of the courthouse.

“Recent events have been difficult on those of us who remember when things were otherwise and all the great judges who have come through these courtrooms,” Wetzel said. “I’m going to try to emulate those judges.”

Wetzel, 67, of Dallas, replaces former judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr., who lost his bid for retention in the November general election. Van Jura, 63, of Kingston, fills the seat of former judge Michael Toole, who pleaded guilty in December to honest services fraud and tax evasion.

The arrest of Toole came less than a year after former judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan were charged with numerous federal offenses relating to their conduct in office.

That’s the past, Van Jura said. It’s time now to focus on the future.

“Judge Burke alluded to past difficulties. Those are becoming farther in the past,” Van Jura said. “There is light at the end of the tunnel. The tunnel is becoming shorter. The light is becoming brighter. We are moving on.”

Van Jura and Wetzel were unanimously confirmed by the state Senate on Tuesday. Burke moved quickly to get them seated so they can help reduce the backlog of cases, particularly involving civil matters.

With their addition, the county now has nine judges – one short of a full complement. The remaining seat of former judge Ann Lokuta, who was ousted from office in 2008 by the state Court of Judicial Discipline, must remain open until her appeal of that decision is resolved.

Burke said he tentatively expects to schedule Van Jura and Wetzel to handle civil cases. Both judges have extensive experience in that area and will be a great asset, he said.

Wetzel is a partner in the law firm of Wetzel, Caverly, Shea, Phillips and Rodgers in Wilkes-Barre. He focused on civil matters, particularly those involving real estate.

Van Jura was a sole practitioner with an office in Forty Fort. He focused on civil litigation, including personal injury cases, and also served as solicitor for the Hanover Area School Board.

Both judges will serve until the end of 2011. Each has said they will not seek election to the seats once their terms expire.

Wetzel and his wife, Veronica, have one daughter, Leslie, 22, and a stepson, Loren Trapani, 27. Wetzel also has two children from a prior marriage, a son, Kent, 34, and daughter, Lindsey Johnston, 31.

Van Jura and his wife, Rebecca, have two daughters, Jesse, 19, and Anna, 16. He has four children from a prior marriage, sons Josh, 31, Jake, 27, and daughters Zoe, 23 and Bailey, 20.