Judge Sletvold, Up or Retention, Scheduled to Hear Election Challenges on Election Day

On Election Day, the motions judge is assigned to cover all disputes that arise on Election Day. Though she's up for retention, Court Administrators just confirm d with me that Jennifer Sletvold is the assigned motions judge to handle any problems that arise. She is obviously conflicted, and this needs to be corrected immediately. 

One Sletvold Too Many?

The Express Times is now reporting that Bob Sletvold has been nominated as the next Chief Public Defender by Executive-elect John Brown. I had warned you this would happen last week. Sletvold is an excellent lawyer, but is this one Sletvold too many?

Sletvold's wife, Jennifer, was elected judge in November's election. A Republican, she garnered the nomination of both parties in the primary. Had there been a contested race against Chris Spadoni or Abe Kassis, that would have increased Democratic turnout. So Brown, a Republican, owes Sletvold. This is his way of saying thanks.

But here's the problem. Bob Sletvold concedes that he could not represent anyone in a matter in front of his wife, but thinks that is an unlikely occurrence. But if he is conflicted, then so are the lawyers who work under him. That basically means that Judge Jennifer Sletvold will be unable to hear any criminal cases.

If the Sletvolds ignore propriety and forge ahead, they are exposing the County to all sorts of litigation down the road from disgruntled inmates who will claim their case was mishandled.

Northampton County Council must confirm Sletvold. Five of its nine members are Republicans.

Jennifer: Don't Order That Black Robe Just Yet

Jennifer Sletvold, after an amazing campaign in which she managed to capture both Democratic and Republican nominations, managed to climb above three other excellent candidates. But despite her success at the polls, she should hold off on buying a black robe. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has yet to decide a challenge to the mandatory retirement that would require Judge Leonard Zito to step down. Since most of the justices are soon going to have to step down themselves, and don't want to, Jennifer might have to wait just a bit longer.

I've heard a rumor, incidentally, that Judge Zito is being offered the position of Court Administrator, one made available by Jim Onembo's "unexpected" retirement.

Slate Belt Republicans Unanimously Endorse Jennifer Sletvold

Last night, the Slate Belt Republican Committee unanimously decided to endorse Jennifer Sletvold for Judge. Her sole Republican opponent is Tom Carroll, a lawyer practicing law in Montgomery County.

It's highly unusual for a County Committee, or one of its areas, to endorse a  candidate in a contest primary. But resentment has been building for months over the perception, correct or incorrect, that Party Boss Bob Kerr is backing Carroll.

Jennifer Sletvold Running For Northampton County Judge

Prominent Easton Attorney Jennifer Sletvold has announced her candidacy for Northampton County judge this coming November. She'll be running to replace Judge Leonard Zito, who will soon reach Senior Judge status.

Jennifer is a bit modest in her news release. After clerking for now Chief Justice Ron Castille, she was employed in a high-powered Philly law firm, where she survived among the sharks in the City of Not-So-Brotherly Love. She's a very sharp lawyer and would be an excellent addition to the bench.

A few years ago, I made fun of her "designer glasses" at a zoning hearing, in what I must admit was a cheap shot. She later told me she purchased those glasses at a dollar store. Bethlehem City Council Solicitor Chris Spadoni is also eyeing a run. I've made fun of him, too. I've claimed he once ate a dentist, but that's true.

Either way, I'm in trouble.

Jennifer Sletvold Running For Northampton County Judge by