Owen Seeks Re-Election as District Judge

 

 

by Jonathan Weaver

James Owen has served as Magisterial District Judge in Kittanning for more than 11 years, and he hopes to serve again in 2018.

Owen succeeded Judge Jay Young, and was first elected in November 2005 but began his appointment a month earlier.

“I have enjoyed serving my community over the past 11 years and hope my constituents appreciate my efforts. I have always done my best to be fair and honest with all persons who appear in my courtroom and will continue to do so,” Owen wrote in his re-election statement. “It is difficult to gauge what effect my comments have on litigants, but hopefully somewhere along the way they have some positive impacts on those appearing in front of me.”

Owen admitted to being disheartened after realizing the full extent of local drug issues, but is committed to working with fellow District Magisterial Judge Gary DeComo and advocating the Drugs Kill Dreams campaign.

“I believe it is my duty to do what I can to be a positive role model for all residents of Armstrong County,” Owen continued.

A practicing lawyer since 1973, Owen was an assistant district attorney, public defender and county and municipal solicitor. He is currently a member of the Criminal Justice Advisory Board and has developed community service providers to offer an alternative disposition for juveniles charged with summary criminal offenses.

Since fellow District Magisterial Judge Samuel Goldstrohm’s retirement, Owen has also served in an administrative capacity in the fourth district.

Outside of the courtroom, Owen is a member of the Kittanning Hose Company #4 fire police – where he was an active firefighter for more than 20 years -, a member of the Grace Presbyterian Church choir for more than 25 years as well as on other committees and part of the Kittanning Rotary and Armstrong County Hockey Hall of Fame.

In addition to his courtroom serving Kittanning Borough, the second district also includes Applewold Borough, Parker City, West Kittanning Borough, and the townships of Bradys Bend, East Franklin, Hovey, Perry, Rayburn, Sugarcreek, Washington and West Franklin. Owen will run on both the Democratic and Republican tickets this May.

A lifelong community resident, Judge Owen currently resides in Kittanning Borough with his wife, Mindy. He is the father of two and grandfather of five.

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