Sue Haggerty

A district judge who serves southeastern Butler County has been selected to be a part of a state committee that reviews court cases bound for state Supreme Court and legislation.

The Supreme Court appointed Saxonburg’s District Judge Sue Haggerty Nov. 2 to the Minor Court Rules Committee.

Along with reviewing court cases and legislation, the committee, according to a spokeswoman for the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, also makes recommendations to the state Supreme Court on rules which should be changed.

The committee was created in 1969 by the state Supreme Court. Members meet three times a year in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and State College. During these meetings members will deal with civil matters under $12,000, issues between landlords and tenants and emergency protection from abuse actions. The name of the committee comes from the first level of the state’s judiciary system — the magisterial district courts, which is what it’s primarily concerned with.

Supreme Court Justice Debra Todd asked Haggerty to join the committee and at first she was hesitant to accept the posting. Being a member of two state committees already, she was worried about overburdening her workload.

“In talking with various judges, they told me it’s quite an honor to be asked and I’ve never done anything like that, so I thought that now’s the time. Better now, in the beginning of my term,” Haggerty said.

Pennsylvania has eight committees that address the different procedural rule-making processes, one of which is the Minor Court Rules Committee. Haggerty is replacing an unnamed member whose term expired Nov. 1.