Debbie O'Dell-Seneca
Debbie O'Dell-Seneca was the president judge of the Washington County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania. O'Dell-Seneca was elected to the court in 1991. She was retained in 2001 and 2011.[1] She retired on January 5, 2015, after being involved in several controversies and being stripped of her administrative duties on November 5, 2014.[2]
Education
O'Dell-Seneca earned her undergraduate degree in political science from West Virginia University and her J.D. from Duquesne University.[3]
Career
- 1991-2015: Judge, Washington County Court of Common Pleas, Pennsylvania[1]
- 1977-1991: Partner, Seneca & O'Dell[1]
- 1977: Admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar
Noteworthy events
O'Dell-Seneca retired on January 5, 2015, which was less than half way through her third term on the court, following several controversies. She was accused of altering a murder trial transcript in order to remove some of her own comments, and of eavesdropping on private conservations through a security system in the courthouse that she had installed. She was also named in a whistleblower lawsuit, where a former juvenile probation officer claimed he was "unlawfully fired" after reporting that the chief probation officer was inappropriately recommending children to be placed at a treatment center where his girlfriend worked. O'Dell-Seneca oversaw the probation office.[2]
On November 4, 2014, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) relieved O'Dell-Seneca of her administrative duties. Earlier in the year, several of O’Dell Seneca’s fellow judges reportedly contacted the AOPC about long-standing concerns over her court administration and managerial decisions.[4]
In a statement confirming her retirement, O'Dell-Seneca said,
| “ | I want to thank the voters of Washington County for electing me on three occasions, and entrusting me with the honor of serving our citizens for the last 23 years. After thousands of cases, these citizens have continually inspired me with their commitment to their role in the jury system. It has been a rewarding and enriching experience every day, and I look forward to new professional challenges.[2][5] | ” |
Salary
As a president judge for the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, O'Dell-Seneca earned $174,026 annually.[6]
2011 election
O'Dell-Seneca was retained with a "yes" vote of 65.3%.[7]
- See also: Pennsylvania judicial elections, 2011
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Court of Judicial Discipline, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, "President Judge Emeritus Debbie O'Dell-Seneca ," accessed July 9, 2013
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Oberserver-Reporter, "Washington County President Judge Debbie O’Dell Seneca to retire," December 31, 2014
- ↑ Martindale, "Judge Profile: Debbie O'Dell-Seneca," accessed July 9, 2013
- ↑ Post-Gazette, "Embattled Washington County judge to step down," December 30, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ The Pennsylvania Code, "§ 211.2. Judicial salaries effective January 1, 2013," accessed July 9, 2013
- ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State, "Unofficial Election Results - Court of Common Pleas, Retention"
Federal courts:
Third Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania
State courts:
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania • Pennsylvania Superior Court • Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court • Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas • Pennsylvania Magisterial Districts
State resources:
Courts in Pennsylvania • Pennsylvania judicial elections • Judicial selection in Pennsylvania
