GANT News conducted a questionnaire with the three candidates for the office of Magisterial District Judge, 46-3-04. Two of the three candidates responded under the deadline.
James Glass, a long-time police officer, is seeking election, and below are his responses to a series of 10 questions.
- Provide a brief biography and background.
I was born and raised in Coalport. My parents are Don and Maggie Glass of Coalport. I attended the Glendale Junior-Senior High School and graduated in 1991.
I attended the Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a major in criminology. After college, I attended the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officer Training Academy.
After completion of the academy, I was hired by the Clearfield Borough Police Department. In 1996, I accepted a position as a police officer with the Lawrence Township Police Department, also in Clearfield.
During my police career, I have received numerous trainings on the federal, state and local level.
My duties as a patrolman were to enforce traffic laws and to investigate crimes committed within the jurisdiction of Lawrence Township.
I was also assigned to the Clearfield County Drug Task Force, under the direction of the Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Narcotics Investigations. This entailed investigating drug-related crimes, which were taking place in Clearfield County.
From 2003-2006, I was assigned to the Clearfield Area High School as the school resource officer.
In 2006, I was promoted to the rank of sergeant. In January, I was promoted to the rank of interim police chief.
The responsibilities of this position include the management and oversight of the day-to-day operations of the police department. I am also tasked with the supervision of all police officers.
In this position, I must adhere to the fiscal responsibility of the board of supervisors, create community crime prevention programs and also facilitate positive working relationships between the community and the police department.
I work closely with the courts to include the Magisterial District Judges, the Courts of Common Pleas and the Grand Jury Courts of Pennsylvania.
I am the liaison between the department and the Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, Clearfield County Public Defender’s Office and all other court-related offices.
- Why did you choose to run for Magisterial District Judge?
During my career as a police officer, I have completed numerous types of investigations into crimes, including homicides, burglaries, robberies, sexual assaults and others.
At a very young age, I developed an interest in law and the criminal justice system. Over the past 23 years, I have gained experience and additional knowledge pertaining to the inner-workings of the court system.
My interests have grown from investigating and enforcing the law to the court system aspect of it. I chose to seek the position of Magisterial District Judge, so I can further my service to the community.
During the past 23 years, I have been involved in the investigation and prosecution aspect of the law. I am now looking forward to serving the community as a fair and impartial judge.
- What qualifies you to hold the office of Magisterial District Judge?
My 23 years of working in law enforcement, listening to different types of citizen complaints, conducting investigations and working with different types of courts in Pennsylvania all have provided me with knowledge and experience.
I am already familiar with the courts, which includes the documentation required for the position of Magisterial District Judge. This includes search warrants, criminal complaints, traffic and non-traffic citations, court orders, Protection from Abuse orders, civil complaints and various others.
Not only am I familiar with the documents, but I also have detailed knowledge about obtaining and serving them.
I have attended and completed the certification course for Magisterial District Judge through the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Minor Judiciary Education Board.
I feel that my years of service have taught me patience, empathy and how to listen. I have also found things aren’t always black and white and each situation must be looked at on its own merits.
I feel that I am impartial in my decision making, which is a skill I have refined through my years in law enforcement.
- What is the most important aspect of this position, and how can you ensure you meet all the requirements?
The most important aspect of this position is to be impartial, neutral and detached from all parties and cases presented to you.
Although my years of law enforcement have given me knowledge of the law, it has also provided me with insight into the importance of being impartial and viewing each case as it is presented.
As a Magisterial District Judge, it is important to remain neutral in all situations and to not make presumptive decisions. Listening skills are required when being presented with matters concerning the court.
- What do you think makes you the better candidate for Magisterial District Judge in Clearfield County?
I am the best candidate for the position of Magisterial District Judge because I have more than two decades of experience in learning, interpreting and enforcing the laws of the commonwealth.
The Magisterial District Court is the primary office where most citizens interact within the criminal justice system.
It is imperative that the Magisterial District Judge be intimately familiar with the laws, rules of criminal procedure and civil statutes and how to interpret them.
I believe that I am the candidate who holds these requirements. As a long-time member of the Lawrence Township Police Department, I have refined my listening abilities.
I have had countless interactions with members of the community in crisis situations and learned to adapt my listening skills to various types of situations.
Given my extensive law background, I am capable of interpreting and explaining court documents, which can be difficult to understand and at times be confusing to the general public.
- If you are elected, what would you make your priority in the upcoming term of office?
My priority, if elected, is to create a fair and impartial court to ensure a seamless transition. My other priorities will be to the citizens of the commonwealth, the duties of the office of Magisterial District Judge and to maintain order and keep the community safe.
- What is the greatest challenge facing the office of Magisterial District Judge in Clearfield County? How would you overcome it?
In these challenging economic times, court costs can be a great financial burden to some. It is important for the Magisterial District Judge to listen to constituents on these matters.
The Magisterial District Judge is to remain impartial and neutral in decision making but to be open to listening to financial hardships of the constituents while considering the nature of the offense.
- If you are elected, what plans do you have to develop relationships with local law enforcement, court officials and attorneys?
I have spent more than two decades working with individuals within the law enforcement community.
I have developed working relationships with all municipal police departments, the Pennsylvania State Police, Board of Probation and Parole, the Office of the Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, Clearfield County Sheriff’s Office, Clearfield County Public Defender’s Office, Clearfield County Court Administration and various other county agencies.
I have also worked closely with all four Magisterial District Courts. I have had countless interactions and have developed working relationships with the majority of attorneys within Clearfield and surrounding counties.
- If you are elected, how would you be proactive and set an example within the communities you serve?
Sitting Magisterial District Judge James Hawkins currently participates in school-based educational programs. These are designed to reduce crime, promote careers in law and to educate youth in criminal law.
I intend to continue these programs currently implemented in Glendale, Moshannon Valley and Harmony Area Schools. These are a vital part of the relationship between the Magisterial District Judge’s Office and the community. These programs can help bridge the gap between the court and community.
In addition, I would promote additional education to the youth of the community regarding drug and alcohol abuse. This is a time when many communities are struggling with an increase in drug abuse and crime. And, I believe that early education can be effective with the younger generation.
- What would you like voters to consider before they make their final choice for Magisterial District Judge?
I would like the voters to ask themselves in whom they would entrust their community. I have spent 23 years learning, understanding and implementing laws, rules and ordinances of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
I have defended those who could not defend themselves. I would ask the voters to weigh the experience and knowledge of each candidate in order to make the clear choice.