GANT News conducted a questionnaire with the lone candidate for the office of Magisterial District Judge, 46-3-03, in Clearfield County.
Jerome M. Nevling, current Magisterial District Judge, 46-3-03, is seeking re-election, and below are his responses to a series of 10 questions.
- Provide a brief biography and background.
I have been a life-long resident of Clearfield County and was born and raised in Blain City near Coalport Borough. I attended the Glendale Schools until graduating in 1980. In 1981, I began working as a laborer and heavy equipment operator for Benjamin Coal Company until the company closed in 1989.
In 1990, I started my career in law enforcement, being hired as a deputy sheriff for the Clearfield County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Chester Hawkins, and I graduated with honors from the Sheriff’s Academy located at Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle.
In 1993, my wife Lori and I, along with our three children, moved to our current location in Cooper Township in Winburne. During my law enforcement career, I worked 4.5 years as a K-9 narcotics officer, (with my Labrador partner “Jake”).
I also worked as a Drug Task Force officer with the Attorney General’s Office of Pennsylvania, and trained and served 8.5 years as a member of the Clearfield County Emergency Response Team.
In 2000, I graduated from the police academy at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where I was certified as a police officer and instructor.
In addition to working full-time at the Sheriff’s Office, I served as a part-time police officer for Chester Hill Borough police until the department was abolished in 2003.
In 2007, I began employment with the Sandy Township Police Department as a part-time officer, in which I worked until December of 2010.
I was contracted with Indiana University of Pennsylvania to teach police officers in six counties, as well as coordinating and teaching the police academy at IUP in Punxsutawney.
I was elected to the position of Magisterial District Judge in 2011, at which time I retired after 22 years with the Clearfield County Sheriff’s Office.
I am currently contracted to teach civil law at the Justice and Safety Institute at Penn State Main Campus and sit as a state committee member with the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania.
- Why did you choose to run for Magisterial District Judge?
I believed that I could be there for the people, to offer them a judge who would greet them with a handshake and sit with them in the lobby, listen to them, speak with them on the phone and make sure that procedurally they would get the right information to proceed with their case at the minor court level.
I also believed that my 22 years in law enforcement, my courtroom and teaching experience and my desire to serve would benefit my decision making and all parties involved.
- What qualifies you to hold the office of Magisterial District Judge?
I was certified in 2005 by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts to hold the position. When elected in 2011, I again took the certification course and was re-certified to hold the position.
I know first-hand as a judge how important my law enforcement and teaching career were to give me the hands-on experience with all aspects of the law, as well as court procedure, courtroom experience and how to work with the public.
- What is the most important aspect of this position, and how can you be sure you meet all the requirements?
The people of my district are the most important aspect. To meet this aspect takes a team approach. Everyone who works at my office is part of a hard-working team.
We work side-by-side to listen, be polite and courteous and offer assistance to everyone who calls or walks through the door.
We are not permitted to give advice, but our goal is to either give them procedurally what they need to file a case, help them with questions as to cases they are charged with or at least get them pointed in the right direction with other agencies.
- What do you think makes you the better candidate for Magisterial District Judge in Clearfield County?
I believe I am the better candidate by offering my last term of being judge as proof. As I stated in the election of 2011, it is all about the people whom you serve.
Most people who walk through the door have never had dealings with the court system. My goal is that their first experience with the minor courts will be a good one.
- If you are elected, what would you make your priority in the upcoming term of office?
My priority is to continue with the efforts that I and my staff have implemented since I became judge. This begins with staying updated in the law that is handled through my court.
Many new laws are enacted each year, or current laws added to and our state-wide computer system is based on the law.
As stated earlier, we use the team approach in my office. Everyone is very knowledgeable of the law and how it pertains to the computer system. My office manager and both administrative assistants are cross-trained in every aspect of the different types of cases that are handled in our office.
This benefits those we serve by keeping the office efficient through speedy scheduling of cases, as well as keeping up with the large caseload. Again I must restate that the most important aspect that is a priority always goes back to the people we serve and their needs.
We are their first step in many cases into the court system, and we take pride in our courtesy, professionalism and willingness to listen.
- What is the greatest challenge facing the office of Magisterial District Judge in Clearfield County? How would you overcome it?
Every day poses many new challenges within the court and office. We try to keep up with these changes with training, such as webinars, efficiency in handling cases by immediate filing and scheduling of cases, staying ahead of technology changes with up-to-date equipment and again remaining patient and courteous with everyone we have contact with.
- If you are elected, what plans do you have to develop relationships with local law enforcement, court officials and attorneys?
The best way to answer this is to say that I will continue to nurture the relationships that have been developed over many years in law enforcement and also as a judge.
As a deputy sheriff and police officer, my career placed me in the courtrooms with everyone mentioned in this question.
I argued cases against defendants and their attorneys before Magisterial District Judges, as well as testified before Common-Pleas Judges. When filing cases, I worked with the District Courts with warrants and or other processes and also worked with the District Attorney who prosecuted the cases.
As for local law enforcement, I trained with most of them, and instructed most of them in their mandatory legal updates each year.
A professional and respectful relationship with all people regardless of where they fall within the court system is an asset to be continually developed for the betterment of all.
- If you are elected, how would you be proactive and set an example within the communities you serve?
In my entire law enforcement career and as a judge, I am very proactive in the community, conducting programs, talks and presentations within the schools and with local religious and non-religious organizations.
As a judge, I will continue to create new programs to help the students within the schools to learn consequences consistent with right and wrong decisions, and always teach the anti-drug, anti-violence message.
- What would you like voters to consider before they make their final choice for Magisterial District Judge?
I ask the voters to look at my qualifications and my ongoing commitment to them. I and the team at my office will continue to offer to the public the efficient and professional service that we offer each day, and I, as a judge, will remain proficient on the law, and serve the people with fairness, impartiality and honesty.