Haggarty seeks re-election as judge
SAXONBURG — District Judge Sue Haggerty, citing her experience, judgment and community service, is seeking re-election.
“I will continue to be committed to being fair to the people of Butler County while upholding the judicial integrity of my office and the commonwealth,” she said.
Haggerty, 64, of Saxonburg first assumed office in 1998 when then-Gov. Tom Ridge appointed her to serve out the remainder of Frank Wise’s term following his retirement.
She previously served 25 years as administrative assistant in the office for Wise and his predecessor, James Galbreath.
Haggerty’s district covers Buffalo, Clinton, Jefferson, Middlesex, Penn and Winfield townships, and Saxonburg.
She said she will cross-file in the May 16 primary and seek the Republican and Democratic nominations.
District judges, elected to six-year terms, set bail and issue arrest and search warrants. They preside over arraignments and preliminary hearings in all matters of crime.
Additionally, district judges handle civil disputes such as landlord-tenant disputes, delinquency and contract disagreements involving as much as $12,000, and they can perform weddings.
They also listen to evidence and rules on summary cases such as vehicle code offenses, underage drinking, and fishing and game law violations.
During her time as district judge, Haggerty has handled about 73,000 cases and her court has collected and disbursed about $7 million.
She credited her staff for its hard work and diligence.
Because of her concerns about juvenile crime, Haggerty has helped establish a program to teach students about the effects of alcohol and drugs.
She has established anti-truancy initiatives in the school districts in her jurisdiction and often makes community service a condition when sentencing juvenile offenders.
Haggerty said she has worked to make her office more accommodative to the public while advocating new technology, such as video arraignment, that ensures that district judges are available around the clock.
“I appreciate the continued support of my community over the years,” she said.
Haggerty has actively served as a member of the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania and has taught mock arraignments and a Junior Judge program for public school students.
Additionally, she has attended and participated in active shooter drills presented by the Middlesex Township Police Department.
In 2016, she was elected to the Slippery Rock High School Hall of Fame. A 1970 graduate of Slippery Rock High School, she led her rifle team to a state championship and owns the school record for best individual score.
Haggerty is married to Frank Ballina, a former professional umpire and general manager for Belleflex Technologies. The couple attends Saxonburg Memorial Church.
