Before cases get to the York County Court of Common Pleas where trials are held and pleas are made, they first go before a district judge.

There are 19 district judges in York County.

As a new feature, I’ll be putting the list of cases we get from district judges on The Docket Sheet. Right now, I only know of Barry Bloss Jr. who emails us his list weekly showing what charges have been moved to the county level, withdrawn or handled at his office.

If you know of any other judges that sent out their case lists, let me know at kharmon@ydr.com or call me at 771-2042. My hope would be to put everyone we can get across the county on the blog.

District Judge Barry Bloss Jr.’s criminal dispositions released on Feb. 18

District Court 19-3-11, which serves East Manchester and Hellam townships and the boroughs of Manchester, Mount Wolf, Wrightsville and Hallam boroughs, is one of three district seats open for this year’s election.

Magisterial district courts handle minor civil matters, such as landlord tenant disputes, and are the first step in almost all criminal cases.

District judges hold preliminary hearings in criminal cases and determine whether the prosecution has sufficient evidence to forward the matter to Common Pleas Court.

District 19-3-11 is a new district created in 2011 to help balance the caseloads for magistrates throughout the county.

Here are the candidates for District 19-3-11

Bruce Bartz

Retired police officer and current investigator for the York County Public Defender’s Office Bruce Bartz has announced he will run for the vacant judicial magistrate seat in District 19-3-11.

Bruce Bartz, candidate for District Court 19-3-11.

Bartz, 53, who lives in Hallam Borough, spent more than 20 years in law enforcement with the Windsor Township and Hellam Township police departments, retiring in 2009.

He also is a constable in Hellam Township.

Originally from Ohio, Bartz attended the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in 1984.

Bartz said his goal as district justice is to “work closely with the communities for their needs.”

“I intend to keep the streets safe and if that means incarcerating people, it means incarcerating people,” Bartz said.

“I believe they should be held accountable to their communities,” he said.

Howard Daniels

After 34 years as a police officer, Northeastern Regional Police Lt. Howard Daniels wants to continue serving the public as judge of District Court 19-3-11.

Daniels, 56, said he quit college after three years in 1979 to join the Mount Wolf Borough Police Department, which later merged with other departments into Northeastern Regional Police. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy the same year.

Howard Daniels, candidate for District Court 19-3-11

He said he also has management training from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Command Institute.

A lieutenant for the past 16 years, Daniels said his police experience and training give him the background to serve as district justice.

Daniels and his wife, Joyce, live in East Manchester Township.

Robert Eckenrode

A former Northern York County Regional Police officer and current special agent for the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, Robert Eckenrode also seeks the seat.

“My wide range of experience with everything from traffic law and civil disputes to criminal homicide investigations and major white collar crimes has provided me with the knowledge and background to best continue my service as the next magisterial district judge for District 19-3-11,” Eckenrode, 44, of Mount Wolf, said in his announcement.

Robert Eckenrode, candidate for District Court 19-3-11.

Eckenrode has spent 22 years in law enforcement, first as a police officer, a detective, a member of the York County Drug Task Force and hostage negotiator before spending the past 10 years as a special agent, fighting fraud, crimes against the elderly, drug offenses and corrupt organizations.

He currently is on leave from the Attorney General’s Office while seeking the district magistrate seat.

Drew Heistand

Hellam Township Police Sgt. Drew Heistand also announced his bid for the District 19-3-11 bench.

Heistand has worked for the Hellam Township department for 10 years and has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Elizabethtown College.
He is working on a master’s degree in business administration.

Drew Heistand, candidate for District Court 19-3-11

In his announcement, Heistand said he has spoken about policing and safety at churches, schools and other venues.
He also is a liaison for the York County Youth Aid Panel.

“I believe there is more to being a police officer than just throwing handcuffs on someone,” he said. “It is about making our community a better place to live.”
Heistand said he would use his common sense while being fair and respectful as a judge.

He said, while some lawbreakers deserve prison time, he also supports alternative programs to incarceration that can rehabilitate offenders, especially young ones, and return them to society.

“These types of programs keep our children out of the court system and save taxpayer money,” he said.

Laura Manifold

Describing herself as a farm advocate and small business owner, attorney Laura Manifold is making a bid for the District Court 19-3-11 seat.

Manifold, 35, of East Manchester Township, says she is an experienced attorney and proactive community member who has frequently served as an arbitrator for the York County Court of Common Pleas and also mentored students in Kennard-Dale High School’s mock trial program.

“My experience as an attorney makes me more qualified to be a magisterial district judge than those that have announced their intention to run for the position,” Manifold said. “I have been involved in almost every type of case that a magisterial district judge covers.”

“My role as district judge will be to uphold the law and make decisions based upon the evidence, while being impartial,” Manifold said. ” I will strive to make the area a better place to live by holding people accountable for their actions.”

District Court 19-2-04 is one of three district seats open for this year’s election.

Magisterial district courts handle minor civil matters, such as landlord tenant disputes, and are the first step in almost all criminal cases.

District judges hold preliminary hearings in criminal cases and determine whether the prosecution has sufficient evidence to forward the matter to Common Pleas Court.

This district serves Manchester Township and was vacated by the retirement of Judge Alan Naylor.

Here are the candidates for District Court 19-2-04:

Angela Dobrinoff-Blake

Local attorney Angela Dobrinoff-Blake has announced her candidacy for District Court 19-2-04.

Angela Dobrinoff-Blake, candidate for District Court 19-2-04

Blake has practiced law for 20 years and has served 15 years as a court-appointed mediator in custody disputes.

“It would be my privilege to serve the citizens of York County, where I would diligently work to strengthen the sanctions imposed in underage drinking, DUI and drug cases,” Blake said.

Blake said she would strive to implement and utilize supervised bail conditions for repeat offenders.

As a member of the Pennsylvania bar, Blake said, she would be able to immediately assume her duties if elected.

Donald F. Dull Jr.

After serving the residents of Manchester Township for 35 years as a police officer, Donald F. Dull Jr. has announced he will seek the vacant judicial seat for District Court 19-2-04.

A retired Northern York County Regional Police officer, Dull was raised in the township, graduating from Central York High School and receiving his bachelor of science degree from York College.

Donald F. Dull Jr., candidate for District Court 19-2-04.

Dull also volunteered as an EMT and firefighter for more than 15 years with the Alert Fire Company of Manchester Township and was president of the company for three years.

Dull is a member of the Otterbein U.M. Church, serving as treasurer. A life member of the York County FOP Lodge No. 73, Dull is also an active member of the White Rose Masonic Lodge No. 706; Tall Cedars of Lebanon, and York County Shrine Club.

Dull promises to be a full-time district justice who will hold offenders accountable for their crimes and continue to make Manchester Township a safe place to live for its residents.

Jeffrey L. Oberdorf

A 20-year veteran with the West Manchester Township Police Department, Jeffrey L. Oberdorf is seeking the bench of District Court 19-2-04.

In his media release, Oberdorf said he has consistently been one of the leaders in his department in criminal arrests.

Jeffrey L. Oberdorf, candidate for District Court 19-2-04

He has served on the York County Drug Task Force and has received numerous awards and commendations for his work within the department. In addition to receiving the Life Saving Award, Oberdorf has held leadership roles, such as field training officer, lead firearms instructor and York County SWAT team member.

Oberdorf served as president of the West Manchester Township Police Officers’ Association for more than 10 years and is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 73 where he serves on the Range Committee.

Oberdorf is a graduate of the 54th Class from the HACC Municipal Police Academy.
He said he decided to run for district justice so he can continue his dedication to public service and to apply the law in a just and honest manner.

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Assistant public defender Joel Toluba is the only candidate to publicly announce a bid the seat of District Court 19-1-05, which covers three wards in York’s west side.

The seat was vacated by the retirement of Magisterial District Judge Barbara Nixon, according to a news release.

Joel Toluba, candidate for District Court 19-1-05.

Toluba has practiced law for over 10 years and is serving in his fifth year as an assistant public defender with the York County Office of the Public Defender.

Toluba currently handles the majority of preliminary hearings for the county public defender, which involves traveling to the various district courts throughout York County and handling anywhere from 20 to 40 cases per week, according to a news release.

“I’ve had the pleasure of serving the citizens of York County as a public defender since 2008, and it would be my honor and privilege to continue to serve them…,” Toluba said in the news release. “I would strive to work with York City Police and community leaders to institute preventive measures to decrease crime and drug abuse and to ensure that at-risk offenders are not permitted to roam our streets unsupervised.”

Toluba plans to cross-file on both party ballots for the spring primary election. As a licensed attorney with the Pennsylvania bar, he would be able to be sworn in immediately if elected, the release states. 

Here are the court dispositions for the week from District Judge Scott Laird.

Judge Laird Dispositions Week Ending 3-1-13 by

See District Judge Barry Bloss Jr.’s criminal dispositions for the week ending March 1, 2013.

Bloss’ district covers Hellam and Springettsbury townships and Hallam and Wrightsville boroughs.

Click here to see the cases.

My friend Maggie O’Brennan wrote this. She is the  community liaison person for York County Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children office:

In the late Judge Emanuel Cassimatis’s words, CASA volunteers “build trusting relationships (with) families and make children feel safe and secure while the court decides where the child’s best interests lie.”
 

When  Cassimatis  brought the CASA program to York County in 1987, he intended for the advocates to focus on children who were 5-years-old or younger because they could not speak for themselves. 

Things have changed and we are seeing more and more older children who are in need of an advocate to speak for them in court.
 

Today’s teenagers face many problems i.e., drugs and alcohol, gender identity issues, cyber bullying, sexual predators or just trying to find a place in this world.  When these children are abused, neglected or abandoned by the very people that they should be able to turn to for help, then often the court will have to intervene to protect them.
 

No child should have to face this alone when there isn’t a family there to help them and protect them. They need trained advocates to look out for their best interests in court.  To do this we need your help. The CASA program trains community volunteers who will advocate in court for these children.

We believe that every child deserves a CASA volunteer who will be there until their case is resolved and they achieve permanency.  What we need are adults 21 years and older who are willing to make a commitment to these children for the time that they are under court jurisdiction. 

If you believe as we do that all children deserve a safe, loving and permanent home then please contact CASA at 717-771-9754 or email mmobrennan@yorkcountypa.gov to begin the screening process for our spring training class.

District Judge John Fishel sent out his criminal dispositions today.

Here’s a look:

Judge John Fishel criminal dispositions sent March 5, 2013 by

District Judge Barry Bloss Jr.’s office has released his criminal dispositions for this week.

Click here to view the spreadsheet.

District Judge Jeff Joy’s criminal dispositions from Feb. 25 to March 8

Matthew S Decker, 20825 West Liberty Rd, Whitehall,MD, retail theft, waived to court
Gary Caswell, 352 Poplar St., York,PA, theft, waived to court
Charles A Walker, 37 W Market St, York,PA, forgery, waived to court
Shaun M Tracy, 329 Irving Rd., York,PA, DUI, waived to court
Amber M Holthaus, 2080 Furnace Rd., Felton,PA, hinder apprehension, held to court
Cory R Krug, 3400 Concord Road, York,PA, burglary, waived to court
Ryan D Massey-Hicks, 222 E Broadway St., Red Lion, PA, DUi, waived to court
Alexander J Biederman, 15 N Shaffer Dr., New Freedom,PA, DUI, waived to court
Jeffrey R Chandler, 14 Mitchell Circle, Newark, DE, DUI, waived to court
Cory R Krug, 3400 Concord Road, York,PA, theft, waived to court
Raymond R Kociolek, 909 Maiden Choice Ln, Baltimore,MD, DUI, waived to court
Norman R Yarbrough, 7810 Ardmore Ave, Baltimore,MD, DUI, waived to court
Michael A Craft Jr, 84 Kendale Road, Red Lion,PA, DUI, waived to court
Williams J Walters IV, 15851 Johnson Rd, Stewartstown,PA, DUI, held to court
John w Duchek, 182 Overview Cir W, Red Lion,PA, simple assault, waived to court
Alexander M Krebs, 11904 Reservoir Rd, Glen Rock,PA, DUI, held to court
Deborah A Dubbs 704 Laura Lane, York, Pa 17402, Bad Checks-Summary Offense, GP.
Matthew Thomas-All Jones 28 Water Street, apt #4, Glen rock, Pa 17327,Disorder conduct ObsceneLang/Gest, GP.
Justin W Ingoe 55 Hametown Road, New Freedom, Pa., Harassment-Course of Conduct W/No Legitimate Purpose, GT.
Christopher James Haley 2082 Seitzville Rd, Seven Valleys, Pa 17360, Harassment-Subject Other to Physical Contact. GP.
Dowayne E Russell 620 Company Street, York, Pa 17401, Bad Checks- Summary Offense, GT.
Nicholas Christopher Bayle 8525 Tobias Avenue, Apt 172, Panorama City, Ca 91402, Disorder Conduct Hazardous/Physi Off, GP.
Wendy Bare 210 Orwig Rd, New Freedom, Pa 17349, Bring, drive, lead or carry unleashed dog/other animal/pet upon county property. GP.
Michael Graham Jones 3872 Fissels Church Road, Glen Rock, Pa 17327, Disorderly Conduct Engage In Fighting, GP.

District Judge Scott Laird released his criminal dispositions for the weekend ending March 8, 2013.

Click here to see them.

Here are the criminal dispositions out of District Judge Barry Bloss’ office that were released on Friday.

Click here to take a look.

And, I’m sorry I don’t have pictures of them to prove it.

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Paul Crouse, the York County District Attorney’s Office administrator for 12 years for former DA Stan Rebert, is said to be returning to York County court as the court administrator. 

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Crouse would replace current court administrator Tom Roberts. President Judge Stephen P. Linebaugh said a new court administrator must be approved by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court before beginning his duties. 

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April Billet-Barclay, the former deputy chief of York County adult probation and parole, also is said to be coming back to county court to replace her former boss, Al Sabol, who recently retired. Linebaugh said a news release on Sable’s replacement could come as early as March 18. 

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Billet-Barclay would be trading her rather lengthy title of assistant program administrator for the Problem Solving Courts Program for the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts for Director of Adult Probation. 

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She also served here as treatment court administrator. 
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Here’s a list of criminal dispositions from District Judge Barry Bloss Jr.’s office dated for March 18, 2013.

19-2-01 Criminal Dispositions March 18, 2013

Here are District Judge Jeff Joy’s criminal dispositions for March 11 through March 22.

Benjamin R Seward, 1648 Deer Creek Rd, New Freedom,PA, contraband/controlled substance, waived to court
Todd M Riley, 11317 N Main St Ext, Glen Rock,PA , DUi, waived to court
Marie Olshefski, 80 Coventry at Waterford, York, PA, DUI, held to court
Joey R Gaecckler, 2783 Glen Rock Rd., Glen Rock,PA, aggravated assault, held for court
Joshua M Ambrose, 2546 Smith Mill Rd, New Freedom,PA, simple assault, held for court
Cory r Krug, 3400 Concord Road, York,PA, burglary, waived to court
Robert G Johnson, 615 N 5th St, Sunbury,PA, DUI, waived to court
Ryan D Stewart, 201 Mason Runn Ln, Rising Sun,MD,possession subst, held to court
Jonathan M Harrell, 347 Washington Ave, Greenwood,SC, fleeing, waived to court
Adam C Miller, 19355 Rosewood Dr, Stewartstown,PA, false ID, guilty plea
Ashley R Hamby, 627 Taylor Rd, Windsor,PA, theft, waived to court
Caleb M Banas, 309 Ridgeview Rd, Seven Valleys,PA, theft, waived to court
Christopher B Holland, 22 Lovett Ct, Timonium,MD,DUI, held for court
Dustin L Miller, 129 Lincoln Ave, Lancaster,PA, poss drug parah, guilty plea
Robert K Zeigler, 232 Troy Road, Dallastown,PA,DUI, waived to court
David Lee Paul 3420 Kingston Road, York, Pa 17402, York Co Parks Rules & Regulations, GP.
Michael Patrick Kumler 14884 Bonnair Road, Apt# 2, Glen Rock, Pa 17327, Public Drunkenness And Similar Misconduct, GP.
Kathalena Marie Gosnell 126 Claremont Drive, Seven Valleys, Pa 17360, Public Drunkenness And Similar Misconduct, GP.
A Juvenile in New Freedom, Pa 17349,Charged w/Use Of Tobacco In Schools Prohibited, GP.
Zo Caitlin Aushavon Tallman-Smith, 1679 Smith Lane, Glen Rock, Pa 17327, Disorder Conduct Hazardous/Physi Off, GP.
Zo Caitlin Aushavon Tallman-Smith, 1679 Smith Lane, Glen Rock, Pa 17327, Disorder Conduct Hazardous/Physi Off, Gp.
Karen Castro 27 S. Constitution Avenue, New Freedom, Pa 17349,Compulsory School Attendance, GP.
Rachael Schober 290 Wiley Mill Road, New Park, Pa 17352, Compulsory School Attendance, GP.
Douglas J Butschky 211 Pauline Dr., #110, York, Pa 17402, Harassment-Follow In Public Place, GT.

District Judge Barry Bloss Jr. released his criminal dispositions for the week ahead of the Friday court holiday.

District Judge Barry Bloss Jr.'s criminal dispositions

Here are the criminal dispositions from District Judge Jeff Joy’s office for March 25 until April 5.

Matthew S Andrews, 4111 N Drinkwater Blvd, Apt A308, Scottsdale,AZ, DUI, waived to court

Anthony J Good, 2128 Freeland Rd, Freeland, MD, DUI, waived to court

Vashawn L Mooney, 3505 Oakmont Ave, Baltimore,MD, forgery, waived to court

Remel A White, 3505 Oakmont Ave, Baltimore,MD, forgery, waived to court

Summer L Combs, 20414 Gore Mill Rd, Freeland,MD, retail theft, waived to court

Zachary D Thomas, 20414 Gore Mill Rd, Freeland,Md, retail theft, waived to court

Brenda J Snyder, 2685 Water St, York,PA, DUI, waived to court

Heather A Amos, 2201 Mount Hebron Ct, Ellicot City,MD, DUI, waived to court

George D Bergdoll, 1182 Wyndham Dr, York,PA,DUI, held to court

Samuel A Schofield, 4311 Shaffers Church Rd, Glen Rock,PA, DUI, waived to court

Gary L Richmond, 601 Aldworth Ave, Baltimore,MD, theft, waived to court

Jason R Strom, 22 Strassburg Circle, Shrewsbury,PA,DUI, waived to court

Nicholas Helsel, 4208 Leann Dr, Glen Rock,PA, DUI, waived to court

Erica l Grim, 393 Kunkle Road, Fawn Grove,PA, marijuana, waived to court

Richard A Palermo, 371 E Market St, Apt 4, York,PA,DUI, held for court

Douglas McMillan, 83 N Main St, Apt C, Red Lion,PA, DUi, waived to court

Timothy A Holtzapple, 6489 Orefield Rd, Spring Grove,Pa, DUi, waived to court

Robert M Farrell Sr, 104 Alco Ct,Stewartstown,PA, simple assault, waived to court

Brady S Thoman, 9307 E Springfield Rd, Seven Valleys,PA,poss drug paraph, waived to court

Anne L Hilliard, 24 Theo Ln, Towson,Md, endanger welfare children, waived to court

Jesse J Coale, 1707 Glen Cove Rd, Darlington,MD, insurance fraud, waived to court

Denise I Scott, 15 Hillview Road,Airville,PA, insurance fraud, waived to court

Robert D Gemmill, 9 Katie Ct, Stewartstown,PA, DUi, waived to court

Trayvon M Randolph, 1235 Askburton, Baltimore,MD, Theft, waived to court

Josue E Debeaumont, 315 Hametown Rd, New Freedom,PA, simple assault, waived to court

Keith Lockner, 131 Main St, Glen Rock,PA, theft, waived to court

Robert N Thompson, 7 Keeney Sunset, Shrewsbury,PA, theft, waived to court

Wendy M Lee, 17341 Brose Rd, New Freedom,PA, receiving stolen property, waived to court

April M Cunningham, 17 W Howard St, Red Lion,PA, assault, waived to court

Caitlin E Cadden, 70 Brook Meadow Cr, Shrewsbury,PA, hinder app, waived to court

Willie J Cunningham, 244 Harding Ct, York,PA, robbery, held for court

Titus N Bonitz 52 Argyle Avenue, Glen Rock, Pa 17327, Bad Check-Summary Charge, GP.

Gary Lee Richmond 601 Aldworth Avenue, Baltimore, Md 21222, Disorderly Conduct-Unreasonable Noise, GP.

Ian Christopher Anderson 14 Lewis Drive, Glen Rock, Pa 17327,Harassment-Subject Other to Physical Contact, GP.

Megan Lyn Julian 230 Chesapeake Estates, Thomasville, Pa 17364, Harassment-Subject Other to Physical Contact, GP.

Donovan Marsalis Cheeks 202 Oak Road, Dallastown, Pa 17313, Control Of Property Regulations, GP.

John Zachary Yanchoris 280 Claremont Dr.Seven Valleys, Pa 17360, Crim’l Misch-Tamper W/Property, GP.

Abby Bennett 303 Tyson Road, Fawn Grove, Pa 17321, Bad Checks-Summary Case, GP.

Here are District Judge Barry Bloss Jr.’s criminal dispositions that were sent out last week. District Judge Scott Laird is below.

District Judge Barry Bloss Jr.'s criminal dispositions

Judge Laird’s dispositions

Laird Ending 4-5 by York Daily Record/Sunday News

District Judge Scott Laird’s criminal dispositions for the week ending April 12, 2013

District Judge Scott Laird's criminal dispositions