Attorney to run for DJ post
After more than two decades of practicing law, Butler attorney Patrick W. Casey is looking to shift gears.
Casey is the latest candidate to announce his bid for the district judgeship that covers Butler. That post will be vacated by retiring District Judge Pete Shaffer.
“In more than 25 years of the practice of law,” Casey said, “I have the broadest range of legal experience of the candidates in this election.”
Two other hopefuls previously announced their candidacies for the office.
The 58-year-old Casey is a Republican but he plans to seek both the GOP and Democratic nominations in the May 19 primary. District judge candidates can cross file in the primary.
“I have tried both civil and criminal jury and bench trials to conclusion,” he said. “I have formal training in civil case mediation and arbitration.”
Additionally, he is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, teaching classes in criminalistics, psychology and the law, and environmental law.
District judges are elected to six-year terms and each serves a geographic area. They have many duties such as setting bail and issuing arrest and search warrants. They preside over arraignments and preliminary hearings in all matters of crime.
Additionally, DJs handle civil conflicts such as landlord-tenant disputes, delinquency and contract disagreements involving up to $12,000.
They listen to evidence and rules on summary cases such as vehicle code offenses, underage drinking and illegal fishing and game law violations. They even have legal authority to perform marriages.
In touting his legal background, Casey noted he could step right in and assume the Butler district judge post, which he noted handles the largest number of criminal, traffic and landlord-tenant cases of all seven DJ courts in Butler County.
Among his civic activities, he lists being a board member and two-term past president of the Ellen O’Brien Gaiser Center in Butler and a former board member of The Arc of Butler County.
He also belongs to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, O’Donnell chapter, in Butler, and has volunteered in the Butler High School mock trial competition.
Casey graduated Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh in 1974 and earned an undergraduate degree at Duquesne University in 1979. He received his juris doctor from Duquesne University Law School in 1986.
He is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Butler County Bar Association.
He and his wife, Donna, live in downtown Butler.
