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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, May 05, 2015

Morganelli Endorses Judge Kevin Dougherty for Pa Supreme Court



Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Kevin Dougherty's bid for one of three seats on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court was endorsed yesterday morning by Northampton County DA John Morganelli. Standing before a group of prosecutors, Morganelli called Judge Dougherty his "first choice."

There are a lot of similarities between them, something they both noted. Both come from working class backgrounds and were the first in their families to attend college. Both dealt with blue collar families, whether in South Philly or South Bethlehem. Both have distinguished themselves in their profession. Morganelli is now Pennsylvania's most senior District Attorney, while Judge Dougherty is the Administrative Judge for the Trial Division in Philadelphia's busy Court of Common Pleas.

DA John Morganelli
Judge Dougherty, who was first elected in 2001, has also presided over Philadelphia's Family Court, where his reforms made Philadelphia a model for the rest of the state. According to Morganelli,
His work has made the streets and schools safer, led to fewer children being placed or burdened with criminal records for life, and streamlined day-to-day operations of the court system by helping to consolidate Family Court’s antiquated, scattered facilities into one modern courthouse. He has been widely recognized as a foremost expert on juvenile justice and judicial administration, and has been appointed to serve on numerous boards, committees, and commissions dealing with these subjects.
Judge Kevin Dougherty
Judge Dougherty explained that, both as a prosecutor and as a judge, he has viewed his role as
"serving the most at-risk and marginalized, the poor and working poor. The average day individual who walks our streets and roads in the desire and hope that they may be safe, in and outside of their home. Each day, every day, we see the worst that life can offer our families and children. Each day, every day, we have a vision, and we implement that vision so that we have a period or a series of accomplishments and successes which advance the health and welfare of our families.

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