Election 2023: Republican Chris O'Neill 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 —Chris O'Neill is running as a Republican for District Judge in the Nov. 7 general election to replace the retiring Daniel J. Finello Jr., who has served Warminster and Ivyland since 2003.

O'Neill will face Democrat Todd Savarese in the election for a six-year judicial term.

Biographical Information

Name: Chris O'Neill

Age: 50

Town of residence: Warminster Township

Position sought: District Judge 07-1-09

Are you the incumbent: No

What towns does your position cover: Warminster Township and Ivyland Borough

Party affiliation: Republican

Family: Married to my wife Sharon and we have two teenage boys

Education: Temple University, Bachelor of Criminal Justice, Pennsylvania Minor Judiciary Education Board Qualified

Occupation: 25+ years Warminster Township Police Officer (rank of Corporal); K9 Officer/Unit Supervisor

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

One of the top issues facing my position is people being brought into the criminal justice system who may not need to be. I am talking about people suffering from mental health issues or drug-related problems. We need to look at these two issues and decide whether it will be beneficial for them to be prosecuted or if would it be better for them to seek an alternative route. If we just keep on prosecuting, then, we are not getting to the root of the problem and we are tying up the criminal justice system. We would need several county groups to come together. I would like to see a panel of people, maybe a representative from the District Attorney's Office, one or two district judges, law enforcement officers, mental health advocates, and drug and alcohol counselors, meet monthly and decide how these cases should be handled. My goal would be for these individuals to seek help and get their lives back on track and not have a criminal record.

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

District Court is the place where people have their first experience in our court system, and for many, their only experience. Going to court can be nerve-racking. One of my goals will be to make that experience as pleasant and stress-free as possible. I would like to make the court more approachable so people feel comfortable. I will make sure the people know they will be heard.

People who appear before me will have a fair, impartial, and just experience. I would also like to educate people about the District Court and the responsibilities of a District Judge. I would reach out to our local high schools and youth groups to educate them about the court, and to invite them into court to watch the proceedings. I also feel the people of Warminster Township and Ivyland Borough deserve a Judge who will be 100 percent committed to the position of District Judge. This will be my full-time job.

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

I have served our community for 25-plus years as a Law Enforcement/K9 Officer for the Warminster Township Police Department. I have worked in every neighborhood of our community and that has provided me with very a unique perspective of the people and the neighborhoods in Ivyland Borough and Warminster Township.

Every day, I am out in the community-solving problems. Whether it is an argument between neighbors, investigating a traffic accident, handling a criminal matter, or simply listening to someone who has a personal problem. I am constantly in the eye of the public making critical decisions, and I use all of my training, such as de-escalation, critical incident management, mental health training, my knowledge of the crimes and vehicle code, my years of experience, and common sense to help foster these decisions.

I have personally appeared before a District Judge over 1,000 times for citation hearings, preliminary hearings, preliminary arraignments, and applying for search warrants. I have also completed the Minor Judiciary Education Board program and I am certified/qualified to perform the duties of a District Judge. My ability to speak with people and relate to their everyday issues will help me be a fair and open-minded District Judge. The experience and knowledge that I will bring to the court will be of the greatest value and difficult to duplicate.