About Me

My photo
Nazareth, Pa., United States

Thursday, March 05, 2015

Pat Broscius to Seek Magisterial District Judgeship in Bethlehem Township

Although I like to call them mini-judges, magisterial district judges are the frontline of Pennsylvania's judicial system. They handle the majority of cases considered, from neighbor squabbles to a disputed parking ticket. Former Chief Justice Ralph Cappy called them "the bulwark between the police and rights of citizens." Since 2001, Joe Barner has served in that capacity from his tiny courtroom at the Trolley Station Mall. Under a recent court reorganization, his jurisdiction will soon be limited to cases in Bethlehem Township. But he won't be there. Though his term of office extends until 2017, Judge Barner intends to retire at the end of this year.

Assistant District Attorney Patricia C. Broscius, the Chief Prosecutor of the Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit and a veteran prosecutor for nearly two decades, has announced her intention to seek that position.

"A fair and efficient bench is of the utmost importance to me," she stated in her announcement. She has vast experience in both categories. She has tried over 100 cases as a prosecutor, and knows the importance of fairness, as well as the need for judicial economy.

She also knows what it is like to be a woman in what was once a man's world. She is the first female to ever be hired as a full-time prosecutor in Northampton County, as hard as that may be to believe. She has dedicated her career asa a prosecutor to protecting children, bringing sexually violent predators to justice and selflessly serving the citizens of Northampton County.

Over the years, you may have seen Pat after work, running in one of the parks, often accompanied by her children. I used to bump into her on occasion, back in my running days. "I have met many Bethlehem Township residents who have been so kind and supportive of my career as a prosecutor ands the work I do for children," she admitted.

Broscius is a lifelong resident of Northampton County. She grew up in Palmer Township, and attended Northampton Community College and DeSales University. She was awarded her law degree from the Widener University School of Law in 1990, and went right to work.

She was married to Attorney John Rybak, who unfortunately passed away before his time in January. She is the mother of thee great children - Daniel, Claire and Joseph.

Two other assistant DAs, Bill Blake and Sandra McClure, are reportedly interested as well.

Bryan Altieri, husband of two-time State Rep. candidate Leslie Altieri, announced his candidacy on Facebook.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pat & Bill are two amazing names to hear in this race. I would support either one of them, both if I could. They have been tough but fair ADAs, not afraid to take a case to trial when it needs to go to trial and not afraid to drop a case when it is a pile of manure trumped up by the police. However, McClure does not fall in the same category as these two.

It really is unfortunate that they have to run for the same seat.

Anonymous said...

Bernie - do you know what the qualifications are to be a Magistrate? A person might assume candidates must have a law or criminal justice background, but we had someone run a few years back with no such experience at all. Luckily, voters did the right thing.

Altieri appears to have some background in criminal justice.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Pa. does not require a magisterial district judge to have a law degree. Some of the finest magistrates out there are non lawyers. They are required, however, to take and pass an involved course before taking office.

Anonymous said...

This blog has become infested with delusional people as noted by 12:10:

"Altieri appears to have some background in criminal justice."

Bernie O'Hare said...

12:10, Both Bill Blake and Pat Beoscius would be excellent, and it is a shame they have to run against each other. I don't know for sure whether Bill or McClure are running, but we'll find out soon enough.

Anonymous said...

@12:27 AM Altieri studied criminal justice at Widener from 2000 to 2002, douch.

Why don't you think before you open your pie hole, or don't you have any brains?

Have some more alcohol and drugs, and enjoy the trip.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the reply, Bernie. It is bizarre that someone can hear a criminal case, like the one in which you were the victim of that horrid Mezzacappa woman, and not have a legal background. Good luck on March 10 when she appears before the Magistrate to answer for her crime.

Bernie O'Hare said...

That hearing has been continued until 3/16. I believe a PD has been appointed for her.

Anonymous said...

What is with the Alteri people. They are at every Demo meeting from here to Harrisburg all the time. Do either of them have jobs? She wants to be the constant candidate and now her husband wants a government job as well.

Maybe they should focus on paying their house bills.

Peter J.Cochran said...

i REMEMBER Mr. Fritzo as Justice of the Peace ,Your right Bernie,they had a tendency to get things settled without getting wrapped around the axle. Ms. Broscius has displayed her professional demeanor as straight forward and she would get down to grass roots with her clients she represented, even though it had to difficult for anyone without 'ice water' in their veins to deal with things she did.I respect the heck out of this lady. .

Anonymous said...

Pat Broscious is a smart and brilliant Attorney. Bethlehem Twp. would be a better place with her being elected. Go for the job Pat, you will win this race.

Anonymous said...

Although we may be gaining experienced District Judges from the District Attorney's Office, we have also lost one of the most compassionate District Judges in the Slate Belt. Todd Strohe was the epitome of those that would ask, "What can I do for you?", kind of attitude, that is so rare today. I will miss his sense of humor and wit. Dedication to those that he served shall be emulated by those that come behind him.

Bill Hillanbrand

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/slate-belt/index.ssf/2015/03/bangor_area_district_judge_tod.html#incart_most-commented_opinion_article

Anonymous said...

Pat Brocius is an excellent prosecuting attorney and Northampton County is a better place to live because of people like her. however, there are two kinds of people I will not vote for at the magisterial level. One is a former police officer and the other a prosecuting attorney. The cop is always taking the sides of the law enforcement officer and in nine out of ten times, the prosecuting attorneys do like wise. I would personally like to have a person (an ordinary Joe) who can pass the State Test decide my case rather than a former cop or prosecuting attorney. I personally hope that Pat would stay with the DA'S Staff. She would be sorely missed.

Anonymous said...

What is most sad is that no republican has announced. Four dems and no republican now that is what is sad.

Anonymous said...

More delusional comments brought to you by the Altieri's: @8:38 - 12:59 - 12:10

Anonymous said...

@8:46 What is your problem? I wrote the comments at 12:10 and 12:59. I didn't write the comment at 8:39, and I see no connection between that one and mine.

If you see yourself as the Amazing Kreskin, you are wrong. I was simply making an observation that a person doesn't need to be a lawyer to be a Magistrate. I don't know the Altieri's, and I personally would like to see an experienced lawyer as a Magistrate. I got his info off his FB page.

Don't forget to use the left foot and then the right when walking, because you are totally clueless.

Anonymous said...

10:20:
You're so full of shit that your color font is brown on my screen.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"we have also lost one of the most compassionate District Judges in the Slate Belt. Todd Strohe was the epitome of those that would ask"

Bill, Thanks for your testament. I should have done an RIP but know very little about Strohe.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"What is most sad is that no republican has announced. Four dems and no republican now that is what is sad."

This is nonpartisan so it does not matter. Once elected, a judge can't engage in politics, either.

Anonymous said...

It's also worth noting that Pat stood up to the Mediterranean manslab when he tried to stare down his ex in court, the fact that she did not melt under his charismatic spell suggests she is a strong woman.

Anonymous said...

It must have been hard for Pat to resist the Mediterranean manslab. His smoky eyes fix their gaze on a woman and they usually melt the hardest hearts. I know men who have melted in their hot gaze.

She must be very strong to resist his magical charms.

Anonymous said...

@10:25AM Is that all you've got? Someone makes a legit observation, and you go off the deep end?

Tell me where I'm wrong. It says on his web page he studied criminal justice. Maybe it's a lie, I don't know. You can tell me I'm full of shit all you want, but all it does is show your shocking ignorance. If you can pull your head out of your ass for three seconds, it's down on the left side of the page.
https://www.facebook.com/bryan.altieri

I'm not promoting the Altieris. I would vote for multiple other candidates before voting for her or him.

I'd cast my vote for you though. If I found you passed out on the side of the road, I'd deposit my vote on your face.

Anonymous said...

Delusional disorder is a type of serious mental illness called a "psychosis" in which a person cannot tell what is real from what is imagined.

Anonymous said...

I'm happy to see that Pat won this position. To all those saying that her being an ADA makes her biased, they are way off base. I know first hand how fair she is when others are not. I'm sure we will see great things from her. Another actual fair person is Judge Dally, would like to see him advance also. In this day and age most are corrupt, PC vote mongers.