Election 2023: Todd Savarese For Magisterial District Judge

Candidates running in the May 16 primary 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 for Magisterial District Judge in the May 16 primary election to replace the retiring Daniel J. Finello Jr., who has served Warminster and Ivyland since 2003.

Savarese has cross-filed to run on the Republican and Democratic tickets. He is vying for the primary nomination for a six-year judicial term against Republican Chris O'Neill —who has also cross-filed —and Democrat Mark Greiner.

Biographical Information

Name: Todd Savarese

Age: 58

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: I am cross-filed and will appear on the Republican and Democratic ballots.

Family: Wife, Rosemarie; and sons, John (22) and Joseph (17).

• Villanova University School of Law (Master of Law 1994)
• Widener University School of Law (J.D. 1990)
• Pennsylvania State University (Criminal Justice 1986)
• Council Rock High School (1982)

• Savarese Law Office (2000 - Present)
• Special /conflict counsel to Sellersville Borough, Upper Southampton Township, and Upper Southampton Township Municipal Authority
• Law Office of Benner and Wild (1997 - 2000)
• Law Offices of William L. Goldman (1990 - 1996)

1. What are the top issues currently facing your position and how do you plan to address them?
Alcohol abuse, mental illness, and highly addictive illegal drug abuse. In my 33 years of experience as a courtroom attorney, I have handled all types of cases including criminal, civil, and proceedings pursuant to the Pennsylvania Protection from Abuse Act. By far, the most challenging involve individuals suffering from a mental illness or dependency issue. In cases like these, a more collaborative and less adversarial approach is warranted. Each representative of the judicial system —police, judge, prosecutor, defense counsel, probation/parole officers, corrections officers, and trained mental health professionals —must manage these cases to protect victims and society while balancing the individual's need for treatment and recovery.

During the many years performing pro bono service, I handled numerous protection from abuse cases where the challenges to the court and its operations presented by individuals with mental illness or dependency issues are pronounced. It is important to address the underlying mental illness and/or dependency issues by connecting people to treatment. As a judge, I would support programs proven effective to treat persons with mental illness and dependency issues if the person is committed to treatment and recovery.

Diversionary programs should be a favored option where the programs are an effective alternative. Unfortunately, there will be circumstances where diversionary programs are not effective. In those circumstances, the protection of society and victims will be of the most importance; especially where the program's failure results from an individual's lack of responsibility and adherence to his or her own treatment or recovery.

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

As an attorney who has practiced in all Pennsylvania courts, state, federal, county, and local, I know technology is under-used or its use can be enhanced to better serve the community, including electronic filings, videoconferencing, scheduling, reporting, text, and email communications.

With change comes the opportunity to review and evaluate aspects of court operations not controlled by the Bucks County Court Administrator for the Minor Judiciary. Whatever changes or enhancements may be made, the goal of any judge entrusted with making decisions impacting a person's life and the community never changes —apply the law to the individual facts of each case, and maintain order and decorum in the courtroom.

I intend to continue the work begun by Judge Finello and make Magisterial District Court 07-
01-09 a place where all individuals receive a full and fair opportunity to be heard, and where
the verdict or decision rendered is the product of the law and proven facts. I have had the
opportunity to observe many different judges preside over cases. I have learned from each one
of them - the best practices and less effective ones.

Except in proceedings such as juvenile (where the law requires the proceedings be closed) and in other cases where the interest of the victims must be respected and protected, the proceedings in my courtroom will be open and my rulings unbiased. Public trust is enhanced by transparency and confidence in the administration of justice. Open proceedings promote that goal. Another benefit of open proceedings is to permit unrepresented parties the opportunity to witness the procedures required by law and expected by the judge. Proceedings in magisterial district court typically involve unrepresented parties or parties represented by less experienced attorneys. The opportunity to learn by observation is lost where a judge restricts courtroom access to only the case being presented. I will encourage parties and attorneys that are "on deck" to sit and observe. I will welcome appropriate questions concerning my expectations of the attorneys and litigants. The perspective I will bring to the position of magisterial district judge is the product of over 30 years of experience in all fields of law, criminal, civil, landlord-tenant, protection from abuse, and municipal enforcement proceedings.

3. What in your experience or background prepares you for election to office?
I learned many lessons during my legal career. I know how the judicial system operates. I understand its efficiencies and shortcomings. My experience taking depositions, arbitrating cases, and representing hundreds of clients at hearings and trials makes me uniquely qualified to educate unrepresented parties about all facets of the judicial system. I have always maintained a practical, common-sense approach to the practice of law. An attorney's job is to assist a client to make informed and intelligent decisions, not to make the decision for them. A magisterial judge's role in appropriate cases is the same —educate parties in civil cases, making them aware that whatever judgment is entered it is automatically appealable to the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas.

Therefore, in civil cases, if I am able to mediate a resolution with the consent of the parties and their counsel, I will. Litigation should always be the last resort. Civil litigators know the saying "settlement negotiations begin after verdict" —litigants should know as well. If the parties are at an impasse, I will afford them a full and fair hearing and render a considered decision predicated upon the law and facts.

I am the only attorney candidate and active member of the Bucks County Bar Association, where I have held various roles during my 33-year legal career including Board Member and Chairman of various committees: Technology, Strategic Planning, and Bench Bar Conference. 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 my constituents 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 assist me in my role as Warminster Township and Ivyland Borough's next Magisterial District Judge.