MASTERS PROGRAMS

Pioneered in Delaware County and necessitated by an ever-increasing caseload, the Masters programs have been developed over the years to provide the Court with the necessary and qualified assistance to dispose of the thousands of cases which are brought before it. Masters assist the Court by hearing cases in Child Care, Juvenile Court, Domestic Relations, Custody matters, Mental Health, Divorce and certain Criminal matters.

The Juvenile Court Masters Program began in 1976. Masters hearings are scheduled Monday and Friday. Cases assigned to the Masters’ docket include those for Detention, Adjudication, Disposition, Placement, Probation Review and Failure to Comply. The present Masters, Stephen Molineux, Esq. and Robert E.J. Curran, Jr., Esq., held a total of 4,277 hearings in 2004 and 4,564 hearings in 2005.

The Masters in Domestic Relations, first used in 1979, make recommendations for an order for support and visitation to the Court. Any party may request a new hearing, before a Judge if dissatisfied. There are four Masters: Robert Anderman, Esq.; Patricia Donnelly, Esq.; Joseph Agozzino, Esq.; and Emily M. Ryan, Esq. The Masters each sat two to three days a week and heard 6,241 cases in 2004 and 5,644 cases in 2005.

Additionally, the Domestic Relations Masters hear Alimony Pendente Lite Hearings twice weekly to determine temporary alimony in a divorce matter pending further litigation.

The Hearing Officer Program in Divorce, started in 1982, hears cases on the equitable distribution of marital assets after a final divorce decree has been entered. Hearing Officers, Donald Lehrkinder, Sr., Esq. and Karen J. Pholeric, Esq. sat four days a week and held equitable distribution hearings and pre-trial conferences. In 2004, the Hearing Officers scheduled 243 management conferences, 218 pre-trial conferences and 217 hearings. In 2005, they scheduled 272 management conferences, 283 pre-trial conferences and 322 hearings.   

The conciliators in Custody, Florence Wright, Esq., Francis Urso, Esq., and Joseph Agozzino, Esq. presided over conciliator conferences. These conferences involve the custody of children and offer the parties a forum for thoughtful consideration of their respective positions on the issues in the case. In 2004, the conciliators heard approximately 951 custody complaints and petitions; and in 2005, they heard approximately 976 custody complaints and petitions, upon which they issued recommendations, which ultimately became temporary Orders resolving the custody issue.

David McNulty, Esq., has served as Master for Children and Youth Services cases since 1985. He hears cases involving abused, neglected, ungovernable and truant children, both in their homes and in the custody and placement of the agency. During 2004, the agency filed 332 petitions for Adjudications of Dependency, and there were 1,241 total court hearings involving 2,192 children. During 2005, the agency filed 310 petitions for Adjudications of Dependency; and there were 1,220 total Court hearings involving 2,195 children.

The Mental Health Review Officers hear cases involving involuntary commitment of persons alleged to be severely mentally disabled. Each client is represented by the Mental Health Advocate, Donald E. Havens, Esq., at their hearing unless private counsel is retained or representation is refused. The Mental Health Review Officers appointed by the Court are Joseph F. Lawless, Esq., Anna I. Vadino, Esq., and John H. Toal, Esq. They make findings as to the mental disability and issue orders either discharging or committing the client to receive involuntary treatment. Such findings are subject to Court review. In 2004 there were 1,762 commitment hearings of which 1,420 were emergency hearings. In 2005 there were 1,764 commitment hearings of which 1,491 were emergency hearings.

The Court began using a Master in Criminal Court in 1997 by videoconferencing Bail Habeas Hearings and certain Gagnon II Hearings which are for Violations of Probation or Parole. Gregg Parker, Esq. heard 208 Bail Hearings in 2004 and 195 hearings in 2005, all by videoconferencing. He heard 708 Gagnon II Hearings in 2004, of which 318 were by videoconferencing; 1,002 hearings in 2005, of which 400 were by videoconferencing.