Paul Pozonsky

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Paul Pozonsky
Judge of the Washington County Courts of Common Pleas
In office
1997–2012
Preceded by Thomas Terputac[1]
Personal details
Spouse(s) Sara Pozonsky[2]
Residence Alaska
Alma mater West Virginia University
Duquesne University School of Law

Paul Pozonsky is a former judge of the Courts of Common Pleas in Washington County, Pennsylvania. In his capacity as judge, he presided over criminal trials, summary appeals, juvenile treatment court, and treatment court.[3]

Personal background and early legal career

A native of Muse, Pennsylvania, Pozonsky graduated from Canon-McMillan High School in 1973.[4] In 1977, he graduated magna cum laude from West Virginia University.[1] After earning a law degree from Duquesne University School of Law in 1980, he practiced law.[4]

He was elected magisterial district judge for the McDonald and Cecil Township areas in 1983.[4] His campaign highlighted his legal experience.[5] In that position, he president of the region's Special Court Judge Association of Pennsylvania.[1] In 1997, he was nominated by the association for the prestigious John Jeffers Memorial Award, given to individuals who are "onsidered instrumental in leadership and professionalism in the courts."[1]

Career as County Judge

In 1997, he defeated Charles Kurowski in the election to replace retiring Judge Thomas Terputac.[1] After his election to the county bench, he left the private practice that he had maintained while serving as a magisterial district judge.[4] In 1998, he was selected to be one of 15 members of the ethics committee of the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges, which advises judges on ethical quandaries.[1]

In 2000, he gained some notoriety among legal circles for playing the song The Little Girl by John Michael Montgomery in his courtroom moments after jury sentenced a woman to the death penalty in the starvation of her daughter.[6] That action formed a basis for the defendant's ultimately unsuccessful appeal.[1] In 2004, Pozonsky and Washington County District Attorney John Pettit established the county's first drug treatment court.[1] Pozonsky was successful in his 2007 retention election.[7] His campaign highlighted his high level of recommendation from members of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and his membership on the Ethics Committee of Pennsylvania State Trial Judged for 9 years.[7]

Later career

Suspension

On May 24, 2012 Washington County's President Judge Debbie O'Dell Seneca issued an order suspending Pozonsky's drug treatment court.[8] On May 31, she issued a subsequent order stripping Pozonsky of his criminal caseload, instead assigning him giving civil cases and nonjury trials.[8] Previously, Pozonsky had been responsible for 60% to 70% of the county's criminal docket.[9]

Tenure in Alaska

Pozonsky then left for a 2-week trip to Alaska, where his wife has family.[10] On June 29, 2012, Judge Pozonsky resigned from the bench, citing discussions with, and the needs of, his family.[11] In July 2012, Judge Pozonsky's attorney confirmed the existence of an investigation by the Pennsylvania Attorney General.[12]

In October 2012, he was hired as a Worker’s Compensation Board hearing officer by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.[13] He resigned that post in December 2012.

Charges

He was charged with stealing cocaine from evidence in May 2013.[14]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Jones, Mike (May 23, 2013). "Pozonsky’s judicial career filled with accolades, Controversy". Observer-Reporter. Archived from the original on May 28, 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2013. 
  2. ↑ Carpenter, Mackenzie (Winter 2006). "A Different School of Thought". Pittsburgh Quarterly. Archived from the original on December 9, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2012. 
  3. ↑ "Paul Pozonsky, J.". Official Biography. Washington County Courts of Common Pleas. Archived from the original on 2010-12-02. Retrieved 2012-07-01. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Metz, Linda (2012-06-30). "Pozonsky quits bench". Observer-Reporter. Archived from the original on 07-01-2012. Retrieved 07-01-2012. 
  5. ↑ Pozonsky for District Justice (May 10, 1983). "Paul Pozonsky". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved 07-01-2012. 
  6. ↑ Silver, Jonathan D. (November 15, 2000). "Jury sentences mother to death". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 07-01-2012. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 The Committee to Retain Judge Paul Pozonsky (November 2, 2007). "Judge Paul Pozonsky". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved 07-01-2012. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Judges, DA silent as rumors bloom". Observer-Reporter. 6/3/2012. Archived from the original on 07-01-2012. Retrieved 07-01-2012. 
  9. ↑ "Washington Co. judge abruptly announces retirement". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. July 1, 2012. Retrieved 07-01-2012. 
  10. ↑ Metz, Linda (2012-06-28). "Judge clears personal items from office". Observer-Reporter. Archived from the original on 07-01-2012. Retrieved 07-01-2012. 
  11. ↑ Buckley, Chris (June 29, 2012). "Washington County judge resigns". Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Retrieved June 29, 2012. 
  12. ↑ Kerlik, Bobby; Megan Guza (July 25, 2012). "State inquiry targets former Washington County judge". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved September 24, 2012. 
  13. ↑ Wereschagin, Mike (December 9, 2012). "Ex-Washington County judge quits Alaska hearing officer post". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved December 9, 2012. 
  14. ↑ Ex-Judge Charged With Stealing Cocaine From Cases.CBS Pittsburgh. 23 May 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
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