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Superior Court of Pennsylvania

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The Superior Court of Pennsylvania is one of two Pennsylvania intermediate appellate courts (the other being the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania). It is based in Harrisburg.

Superior Court of Pennsylvania
JurisdictionPennsylvania, United States except those cases which involve decisions of governmental agencies; public sector legal questions; actions to which the Commonwealth is a party other than criminal cases; or actions to which a not-for-profit, private corporation is a party, all of which are appealed instead to the Commonwealth Court.
LocationHarrisburg (headquarters)
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Composition methodStatewide partisan election with possible retention at term expiration. Vacancies are filled via appointment by the Governor.
Authorized byPenn. Const. Art. V § 3
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 541-44
Appeals toSupreme Court of Pennsylvania
Appeals fromCourt of Common Pleas
Judge term length10 years
Number of positions15
WebsitePennsylvania Courts
President Judge
CurrentlyAnne Lazarus
SinceJanuary 7, 2024[1]

Jurisdiction

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The Superior Court hears appeals in criminal and most civil cases from the Courts of Common Pleas and on matters involving children and families.[2] Most appeals are decided on the submission of briefs only. However, when the parties request oral argument, those sessions are usually heard by panels of three judges sitting in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, or Pittsburgh, but the court also hears some appeals "en banc," i.e., with nine judges.[2] Sometimes, special argument panels sit in other counties around the Commonwealth. Although different panels of three judges may sit to hear appeals, there is only one Superior Court (that is, Pennsylvania is not divided into appellate territories).

Judges

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Superior Court judges are elected in statewide elections. The term of a Superior Court Judge is 10 years. After serving 10 years, judges may hold their seats if they win a retention vote. Voters have the right to retain or reject (vote out of office) Superior Court judges in Pennsylvania. Superior Court judges must retire from active service at the age of 75. They may serve as Senior Judges though, as approved by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Judge[3] Born Joined[4] Term ends Mandatory retirement[a] Party affiliation Law school
Anne E. Lazarus (President Judge) (1952-11-12) November 12, 1952 (age 72) January 4, 2010[b] 2029 2027 Democratic Temple
Mary Jane Bowes (1954-07-18) July 18, 1954 (age 70) January 7, 2002 2031 2029 Republican Pittsburgh
Jack A. Panella (1955-05-04) May 4, 1955 (age 69) January 5, 2004 2033 2030 Democratic Columbus
Judith Ference Olson (1957-10-19) October 19, 1957 (age 67) January 4, 2010 2029 2032 Republican Duquesne
Victor P. Stabile (1957-09-14) September 14, 1957 (age 67) January 6, 2014 2033 2032 Republican Dickinson
Alice Beck Dubow (1959-03-25) March 25, 1959 (age 65) January 4, 2016 2025 2034 Democratic Pennsylvania
Deborah A. Kunselman (1967-09-24) September 24, 1967 (age 57) January 1, 2018 2027 2042 Democratic Notre Dame
Carolyn H. Nichols (1955-09-04) September 4, 1955 (age 69) January 1, 2018 2027 2030 Democratic Temple
Mary P. Murray (1970-07-06) July 6, 1970 (age 54) January 1, 2018 2027 2045 Republican Duquesne
Maria McLaughlin (1966-05-27) May 27, 1966 (age 58) January 1, 2018 2027 2041 Democratic Widener
Megan McCarthy King (1969-12-08) December 8, 1969 (age 54) January 6, 2020 2029 2044 Republican Pittsburgh
Megan Sullivan (1971-10-19) October 19, 1971 (age 53) January 3, 2022 2031 2046 Republican Temple
Jill Beck (1979-10-16) October 16, 1979 (age 45) January 1, 2024 2033 2054 Democratic Duquesne
Timika Lane (1972-10-05) October 5, 1972 (age 52) January 1, 2024 2033 2047 Democratic Rutgers
Vacant
  1. ^ Judges must retire by the last day (December 31) of the calendar year in which they reach the age of 75.[5]
  2. ^ Elected President Judge on January 7, 2024.

Vacancy and pending nomination

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Seat Seat last held by Vacancy reason Date of vacancy Nominee Date of nomination
– Dan McCaffery Elevation January 1, 2024 – –

Senior judges

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Judge[3] Born Joined[4] Party affiliation Law school
Correale F. Stevens[a], President Judge Emeritus (1946-10-06) October 6, 1946 (age 78) 2016 Republican Dickinson
James Gardner Colins[b] (1946-06-09) June 9, 1946 (age 78) January 2, 2019 Democratic Villanova
John T. Bender (1948-11-06) November 6, 1948 (age 76) January 1, 2024[c] Republican Duquesne
  1. ^ Judge Stevens was a former Associate Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court (2013–2016).
  2. ^ Judge Collins was a former judge of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court (1984–2008; 2012–2019).
  3. ^ Served as Judge of the Superior Court from January 5, 2002–December 31, 2023. Became Senior Judge of the Superior Court on January 1, 2024.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Judge Anne Lazarus Elected President Judge of Pennsylvania Superior Court" (PDF). January 2, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Learn". Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Superior Court Judges". Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania.
  4. ^ a b "Pennsylvania Superior Court Ceremonial Sessions - Volume 3" (PDF). Historical Society of Superior Court of Pennsylvania.
  5. ^ "Constitution of Pennsylvania - Article V §16".
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