Magisterial District 05-2-42 News: Judge Leah Williams Duncan Esq.

While the majority of work performed by the Magisterial District Judge involves resolving in-court disputes, among the more enjoyable of our tasks is the recognition of exemplary community service and the swearing-in of certain individuals elected and appointed to community service positions. In January, I had the pleasure of participating in the swearing-in of Councilman Bobby Wilson for his second term on Pittsburgh’s City Council. In February, it was my honor to swear in Taili Thompson as he began his term as a Governor’s Appointee to the newly formed Indigent Defense Advisory Committee (IDAC).

Thompson, a Northside resident and Perry High School graduate, currently serves as Director of Operation Better Block’s Violence Prevention Initiative.

In his capacity as a member of the IDAC, Thompson joins a list of acclaimed appointees to include Pennsylvania state senators, Common Pleas Court judges and defense attorneys from across the Commonwealth and a host of other concerned advocates. Among its many responsibilities, the IDAC is tasked with proposing minimum standards for delivery of indigent defense services and submitting these standards to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and with advising on approval and disbursement of grants each year under the Indigent Defense Grant Program (IDGP).

The development of the IDAC and the IDGP comes as a welcome endeavor for the community at large and for all who have ever found themselves in need of the services of the Public Defender’s office and for all who may find themselves in such a position in the future. Specifically, a recent press release from the office of the Governor began with the following statement: “Governor Shapiro secured the first-ever sustainable state funding for indigent defense in 2023-24 budget, allowing Pennsylvania to shed the shameful distinction of being one of only two states in the country that did not allocate state funding for public defenders.”

Though many of us may never require the assistance of the Public Defender, it’s good to know that the service is there when needed. It’s even better to know that investments are being made and steps are being taken to ensure that the indigent citizens of Pennsylvania are afforded the best defense possible.

Congratulations to Mr. Taili Thompson on his appointment and involvement in this most worthy cause. I truly appreciate my small role in this effort and I look forward to seeing the benefits that will undoubtedly come to the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a result of this noteworthy endeavor.