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Paul Pozonsky is a former judge of the Courts of Common Pleas in Washington County, Pennsylvania. In his capacity as judge, he presided over criminal trials, summary appeals, juvenile treatment court, and treatment court.

A native of Muse, Pennsylvania, Pozonsky graduated from Canon-McMillan High School in 1973. In 1977, he graduated from West Virginia University. After earning a law degree from Duquesne University School of Law in 1980, he practiced law.

He was elected magisterial district judge in 1983. His campaign highlighted his legal experience.

In 1997, he was elected Common Pleas Court judge. After his election, he left private practice.

In 2000, he gained notoriety among legal circles for playing the song The Little Girl by John Michael Montgomery in his courtroom moments after jury sentenced a woman to the death penalty in the starvation of her daughter.

Pozonsky was successful in his 2007 retention election. His campaign highlighted his high level of recommendation from members of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and his membership on the Ethics Committee of Pennsylvania State Trial Judged for 9 years.

On May 24 Washington County's President Judge Debbie O'Dell Seneca issued an order suspending Pozonsky's drug treatment court. On May 31, she issued a subsequent order stripping Pozonsky of his criminal caseload, instead assigning him giving civil cases and nonjury trials. Previously, Pozonsky had been responsible for 60% to 70% of the county's criminal docket. Pozonsky then left for a 2-week trip to Alaska, where his wife has family.

On June 26, 2012, the Observer-Reporter reported that a statewide grand jury was investigating Pozonsky, although representatives from the Pennsylvania Attorney General declined to comment on that report. Pozonsky resigned from the bench, citing discussions with, and the needs of, his family. In July, Judge Pozonsky's attorney confirmed the existence of an investigation by the Pennsylvania Attorney General.

References

1. Carpenter, Mackenzie (Winter 2006). "A Different School of Thought". Pittsburgh Quarterly. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
2. ^ Metz, Linda (6/30/2012). "Pozonsky quits bench". Observer-Reporter. Archived from the original on 07-01-2012. Retrieved 07-01-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate=, |date=, and |archivedate= (help)
3. "Paul Pozonsky, J." Official Biography. Washington County Courts of Common Pleas. Archived from the original on 2010-12-02. Retrieved 2012-07-01.
4. Pozonsky for District Justice (May 10, 1983). "Paul Pozonsky". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved 07-01-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
5. Wolford, Stacy (November 5, 2003). "Mascara edges Fitch for Washington judge". Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Retrieved 07-01-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
6. Silver, Jonathan D. (November 15, 2000). "Jury sentences mother to death". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 07-01-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
7. ^ The Committee to Retain Judge Paul Pozonsky (November 2, 2007). "Judge Paul Pozonsky". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved 07-01-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
8. ^ "Judges, DA silent as rumors bloom". Observer-Reporter. 6/3/2012. Archived from the original on 07-01-2012. Retrieved 07-01-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate=, |date=, and |archivedate= (help)
9. "Washington Co. judge abruptly announces retirement". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. July 1, 2012. Retrieved 07-01-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
10. Metz, Linda (6/28/2012). "Judge clears personal items from office". Observer-Reporter. Archived from the original on 07-01-2012. Retrieved 07-01-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate=, |date=, and |archivedate= (help)
11. Metz, Linda (6/26/2012). "Grand jury investigating county judge". Observer-Reporter. Archived from the original on 07-01-2012. Retrieved 07-01-2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate=, |date=, and |archivedate= (help)
12. Buckley, Chris (June 29, 2012). "Washington County judge resigns". Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
13. Kerlik, Bobby (July 25, 2012). "State inquiry targets former Washington County judge". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved September 24, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

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