Magisterial District Judge 05-02-28
Magisterial district judges (also referred to as MDJs or Magistrates) do not have to be lawyers but are required to pass a qualifying exam. Handle civil cases up to $12,000; responsible whether serious criminal cases go the Court of Common Pleas; handle preliminary arraignments and hearings; minor criminal offenses, land lord/tenant disputes, traffic citations and non-traffic ordinance violations. Responsible for setting and accepting bail, except in murder or voluntary manslaughter cases.Term: 6 years Salary: $109,973
Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.
-
Oscar J. Petite, Jr.
(Dem, Rep)
-
Jeff Woodard
(Dem)
What are your top three priorities for this office, and how would you address them?
What successful strategies have you used to build consensus in the past and how would you apply them in this office, especially when there are differing opinions or priorities?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Occupation
Administrator
Qualifications for office
Have served as an Elected PA state Constable; Elected Democratic Committeeman; ✔ Executive Director of PA College Access Program ✔ Administrator, Office of the PA Lt. Governor ✔ Adjunct Professor, CCAC and Robert Morris University
Education
✔ Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice ✔ Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy ✔ Master’s Degree in Business Administration ✔ Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration✔ Graduate, PA Police, and State Constable Academy
Clean up the streets and public spaces. Remove illegal homeless encampments. Crack down aggressively panhandlers and drug dealers. Support and protect our residents and businesses. Equally important, we must hold our Magisterial District Judges to higher standards. It is unacceptable that individuals are arrested only to be released on the same day on non-monetary bonds. This revolving door of justice allows repeat offenders to be processed and released within hours, leading to an escalation of their crimes. As a candidate for Magisterial District Judge downtown, I pledge to hold criminals accountable. No more leniency. No more endless cycles of crime and release. It is time for a justice system that truly protects our community.
I have served as an Fact-Finder dealing with discrimination cases. I have served as a PA state Constable and professor of Criminology. As we prepare to welcome the NFL Draft to Pittsburgh, we face an urgent challenge that demands immediate action: the state of our Downtown and Strip District areas. I will bring common sense to the office of zero tolerance for all the crime being committed in this city.
To make a selection for a candidate you must first find your races. Would you like to find your races now?
You have already selected the maximum number of candidates for this race.
You must uncheck an existing selection before making another selection.