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Three Lackawanna County judges seek retention

Times-Tribune - 10/28/2019

Oct. 28--Three Lackawanna County judges up for retention highlighted their years of experience and commitment to do what's right for all parties in the judicial system in seeking another 10-year term.

President Judge Michael Barrasse and Judges Margaret Bisignani Moyle and Terrence Nealon face a yes-no vote in the Nov. 5 general election. Barrasse and Nealon are seeking reelection to a third term, while Moyle is seeking a second term.

Barrasse, 63, of Waverly Twp., primarily handled criminal cases in his 20 years on the bench. He said his greatest accomplishment is the creation of multiple speciality courts that address societal issues that lead people to commit crimes.

The county was among the first in the state to create a drug treatment court. Over the years, it expanded to add several other speciality courts, including a veterans court, DUI court, mental health court and domestic violence court.

"They've drastically reduced recidivism and allow people to restore their lives without spending lengthy time in state prison," Barrasse said.

Many people who go through the speciality courts led crime-free lives until addiction or mental health issues struck. He said his time on the bench allowed him to develop better insight to fashion an appropriate sentence.

"We are not talking about bums under the bridge here," Barrasse said. "We are talking about our next door neighbor or a family relative. Experience gives you a great edge to look at not just the crime, but to look at what's behind the person in aiding you in deciding your decisions."

Moyle, 57, of Scranton, presided over a mix of civil and criminal cases in her first term. She said her 20 years of experience as a trial attorney is invaluable in presiding over cases.

"One of the reasons I ran is, as a trial attorney, I realized how important it is to have someone with trial experience presiding over jury trials," she said.

Moyle said she is particularly proud of her role in establishing the county's domestic violence speciality court.

"This is a unique area of law that needs to be addressed with resources because there is a high risk of recidivism," Moyle said. "I'm passionate about it. We are sincerely trying to stem violence and change people's lives for the better."

Nealon, 60, of Dunmore, said he's worked diligently over the past 22 years to serve the public. He's presided over more than 300 trials and authored more than 1,000 opinions.

Most of his judicial career focused on presiding over civil matters, but he also handled some high-profile criminal cases, including the 2014 murder trials of Neil Pal and Jason Dominick for the death of Frank Bonacci, of Dunmore.

Nealon said one of the most rewarding assignments has been his decadelong work with the county's residential mortgage foreclosure diversion program, which helps mortgage holders negotiate new terms with lenders to stave off foreclosure. He said he helped negotiate settlements in about 70% of the cases.

"Sometimes there are unforeseen developments in a homeowners life," he said. "Whether it is the loss of a job, a serious illness or a divorce that causes them to fall behind ... when we can keep people in their homes, it's one of the more gratifying jobs to have as a judge."

Contact the writer:

tbesecker@timeshamrock.com;

570-348-9137;

@tmbeseckerTT on Twitter

MICHAEL BARRASSE

Party: Republican

Age: 63

Residence: Waverly Twp.

Family: Wife, Louise, children, Joseph and the late Cody

Education: Bachelor's degree with a minor in business and master's degree in history, University of Scranton, 1978; Juris Doctor, Dickinson School of Law, 1981; currently a candidate for a Master's of Judicial Studies from the National Judicial College

Experience: Attorney, 1981 to 1989; Lackawanna County District Attorney, 1990 to 1999; Lackawanna County judge, 2000 to present, serving as president judge since 2015

MARGARET BISIGNANI MOYLE

Party: Democratic

Age: 57

Residence: Scranton

Family: Husband, Douglas; children, Bridey, Liam, Spencer, Maggie and Skyler

Education: Bachelor's degree, political science, Catholic University, 1984; Juris Doctor, Columbus School of Law at Catholic University, 1987

Experience: Assistant district attorney, Lackawanna County district attorneys office, 1988 to 1990 and 2000 to 2009; assistant state attorney, Dade County state attorney's office, Miami, Florida, 1991 to 1999; Lackawanna County judge, 2010 to present

TERRENCE NEALON

Party: Democratic

Age: 60

Residence: Dunmore

Family: Wife, Lisa; children, Terrence Jr., Timothy, Maggie

Education: Bachelor's degree, accounting, University of Scranton, 1981; Juris Doctor, Dickinson School of Law, 1984

Experience: Trial lawyer, 1984 to 1998; board-certified civil trial specialist with the National Board of Trial Advocacy; Lackawanna County judge, 1998 to present

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