Welcome to GantDaily’s Meet the Candidates: MDJ 46-3-01 edition!
We asked the candidates running for this position the following questions:
-Why are you seeking the position of district judge?
-Why are you the best candidate for the position?
-Describe, in your own words, the duties of a magisterial district judge. What other duties to you believe the position entails?
-What would your top priorities be as a magisterial district judge?
Candidates who responded or responded by the deadline are listed alphabetically.
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John J. Weaver
Hometown: DuBois
Party Affiliation: Democrat/(Cross-filed)
Incumbent: No
John J. Weaver is the son of Susan V. Roman and the late John H. Weaver. John is a resident of DuBois and attended the Pennsylvania State University, George Washington University, and John Jay College of Criminal Justice where he learned criminal and civil law and procedure. He is also a graduate of the Human Factors Training Institute, the Greater DuBois Leadership Institute, the AT&T Leadership Training Course and the PEAL Center Advocacy Institute. Weaver has one sibling, Stephanie M. (Weaver) Withers.
1) Why are you seeking the position of district judge?
I’m seeking the position of district judge because I want to serve my community with the one passion that I’ve grown to love, law. If elected, I will use this passion to uphold the integrity and responsibility of the office not just on select days but everyday.
2) Why are you the best candidate for the position?
I believe that I’m the best candidate because I’ve had first hand experience working with the Pennsylvania State Police Forensics Unit, the Central Intelligence Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. While carrying out these duties, I’ve learned leadership skills, how to do legal research and document it, work in a stressful environment, and how to follow strict guidelines set by the Judicial Branch of government. I strongly believe that these traits are used everyday in the magisterial judge’s duties and that by coming pre-equipped with them I am the best candidate for the position.
3) Describe, in your own words, the duties of a magisterial district judge. What other duties to you believe the position entails?
The duties of a magisterial district judge are to hold hearings, hold arraignments and set bail, collect fines and costs, and provide an unbiased opinion in matters requesting a search warrant. However, I find that there are three more duties as well. They are to further the education of the Judicial branch of government thru passing out brochures and holding public forums. Making sure that mentally challenged individuals have a gateway to justice by directing them to services that are available to them. Also, being accountable to the public by having yearly audits and having my courtroom open to all who wish to see the criminal justice system in action.
4) What would your top priorities be as a magisterial district judge?
If elected as district judge, I would be committed to being an impartial finder of fact and rendering justice to the best of my ability, to upholding the integrity and responsibility of the office, to furthering the education of the public about the Criminal Justice System. It would also be my priority to better help the mentally challenged population serviced by the district judge’s office to easier attain justice so that they know they have a fair chance to be heard in court.