Election 2023: Democrat Todd Savarese For District Judge

Candidates running in the Nov. 7 general election are providing background about themselves and their positions on the issues to voters in these profiles, which will run in Patch individually for each candidate.

WARMINSTER, PA —Todd Savarese is running as a Democrat for Magisterial District Judge in the Nov. 7 general election to replace the retiring Daniel J. Finello Jr., who has served Warminster and Ivyland since 2003.

Savarese is facing Republican Chris O'Neill in the election for a six-year judicial term.

Biographical Information

Name: Todd Savarese

Age: 59

Town of residence: Ivyland Borough

Position sought: Magisterial District Judge

Are you an incumbent? No

What Towns Does Your Position Cover? Warminster Township and Ivyland Borough

Party affiliation: Democratic

Family: Wife, Rosemarie; and sons, John (22) and Joseph (18)

Education: Villanova University School of Law (Master of Law 1994); Widener University School of Law (J.D. 1990); Pennsylvania State University (Criminal Justice 1986)

Occupation/Experience: Licensed by the Supreme Courts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey since 1990; Savarese Law Office (2000 - Present); Solicitor, Warminster Heights Home Ownership Association (2014 - Present); Special /conflict counsel to Sellersville Borough, Upper Southampton Township and Upper Southampton Township Municipal Authority; Appointed by Bucks County President Judge to serve as Chairman of judicial arbitration panels; Councilman, Ivyland Borough (2020 - present); Board Member, Inspire Federal Credit Union (2020 - present)
Bucks County Bar Association (Member since 1990): Chaired Technology; Strategic Planning and Bench Bar Conference Committees, Warminster; Connie Mack, and CYO baseball coach (2007 to 2019); CYO Board of Directors (Baseball Coordinator); Parishioner of Nativity of Our Lord Church

1. What are the top issues currently facing your position and how do you plan to address them?

Alcohol abuse, mental illness, and drug addiction. Cases involving individuals with mental illness or dependency issues require a collaborative approach where police, judge, prosecutor, defense counsel, probation/parole officers, corrections officers, and trained mental health and treatment professionals supervise each offender. I support diversionary programs proven effective in treating persons with mental illness and dependency issues. However, the individual must be committed to the treatment. Where diversionary programs are not effective, the protection of crime victims and society must be paramount.

Civil cases in Magisterial District Court involve less than the Court's jurisdictional limits of $12,000. Other cases, such as landlord-tenant cases, involve possession of real property and
unpaid rent. Finally, money in the form of fines is implicated by municipal enforcement
proceedings, such as building, zoning or property maintenance code violations.

In these cases, the Court has the authority to enter a monetary judgment and/or judgment for possession of residential or commercial real property. Once a judgment is granted, it is automatically appealable. Where no appeal is filed, the judgment must be collected. Post-judgment appeal or execution proceedings cost more money, especially where one side or both hire legal counsel. If elected, I will educate parties about these inefficiencies so they may make informed business decisions.

I would engage myself in all civil cases at the earliest opportunity and draw from lessons learned over my 33-year legal career. Oftentimes, one party or both just want to be heard by a neutral and objective third party. The sanctity of the courtroom and the role of a judge can and should be used to resolve conflict, not perpetuate litigation. Where a matter cannot be amicably resolved, I will afford the parties a full and fair opportunity to be heard, and decide cases based on credible testimony, competent evidence, and the law.

2. Identify specific goals or ideas you have to enhance life in your position:

I have been asked this question while meeting residents at their doors. One resident, clearly disillusioned with politics asked "Do you plan to fix everything that is wrong with the court system?" I said, "No, that's not realistic. I plan to make Magisterial District Court more
accessible and efficient and leave it a better place than I found it."

One area of my focus is electronic filings. E-filing is available in the Bucks County Court
of Common Pleas, but not in magisterial district courts. Until e-filing is offered, my goal is to
make filing a case as simple, intuitive, and straightforward as possible. PDF forms and templates
are published on the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System website, but concise, easy-to-understand instructions are not. Information about where to file, how to file and the cost of filing
needs to be readily available, and it is not. For instance, every time the U.S. Postal Service changes the cost of postage, the filing and service fees charged by the Court change. In certain instances, the entire filing package will be returned to the sender because the check for the filing and/or service fees is not accurate. This practice is unacceptable. Phone calls will be made or emails sent to resolve rudimentary defects. Justice delayed is justice denied.

3. What in your experience or background prepares you for election to the office?

The qualifications to be a Magisterial district judge are set forth in 42 Pa.C.S.A. §3112 as
follows: Magisterial district judges, bail commissioners, and judges who are not members
of the bar of this Commonwealth shall complete a course of training and instruction in the duties of their respective offices and pass an examination prior to assuming office.

I am the only candidate for Magisterial District Judge with a law degree. In 1990, I passed the Pennsylvania bar examination. I have been continuously engaged in the practice of law for 33 years. My extensive legal education and courtroom experience qualify me to serve without taking a four-week training course that persons who are not licensed to practice law are required to take. The training course includes 160 hours of legal education. Three years of law school is required to receive a law degree.

In addition to my extensive courtroom experience, I am an active member of the Bucks County Bar Association, where I have held various roles including Board Member and Chairman
of various committees. I have been the solicitor to the Warminster Heights Home Ownership
Association for a decade. Warminster Heights is a housing cooperative comprised of 698
residential dwelling units and is home to approximately 3,000 residents. I am a trusted fiduciary
serving on the Board of the Inspire Federal Credit Union where my decisions are made with the
best interests of its 15,000 members at heart. I am a sitting Ivyland Borough Councilman.

I know people depend on me to make intelligent, informed, and unbiased decisions. I realize my
decisions have a profound impact on others. I would never betray or abuse the public trust. I
have the required experience and appropriate temperament to be a judge. I have a passion for
helping people and a reputation for being reasonable and fair-minded, traits I am confident will
promote my success as Warminster Township and Ivyland Borough's next Magisterial District Judge.

For more information about Savarese's education, training, experience, and credentials, please
visit savareseforjudge.com where you can listen to a short interview offering insight into who he is and why he is running for the position.