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Consistent with the Order of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania dated April 1, 2020, this Court having originally declared a judicial emergency in the Fifth Judicial District of Pennsylvania through April 14, 2020, President Judge Clark now declares that the judicial emergency be extended through May 8, 2020. The Fifth Judicial District Emergency Operations Plan dated March 26, 2020, as amended, shall remain in effect through the duration of the judicial emergency. Additionally, in recognition of the likelihood that this judicial emergency may, of necessity, be extended through May 31, 2020, it is further ORDERED that any case postponed due to this emergency be scheduled after May 31, 2020, and that the suspension of the operation of Rule 600 be applied to those postponements, subject to constitutional limitations. Cases that can be resolved entirely through the use of Advanced Communication Technology may be postponed to a date prior to May 31, 2020.

The Administrative Office of the Court of Common Pleas is responsible for the management of all business operations of the Court. The President Judge and District Court Administrator function as the Chief Executive and Administrative Officers of the Court. The President Judge is elected by the Judges of the Court to serve a five-year term. The President Judge, in consultation with the four Administrative Judges and the State Court Administrator, appoints the District Court Administrator to serve at the pleasure of the Common Pleas Judges.

The Fifth Judicial District of Pennsylvania is comprised of the Court of Common Pleas (43 Trial Court Judges) and the Minor Judiciary (46 Magisterial District Judges). Within the Court of Common Pleas, the Criminal, Civil, Family and Orphans’ Divisions operate under the direction and control of an Administrative Judge appointed by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. The President Judge serves as the administrative head for the Minor Judiciary. The Court is also supported by over 1,200 employees providing services in more than 70 sites within Allegheny County.

In addition to providing general supervisory authority over the Court and its employees, the President Judge and District Court Administrator are responsible for the following:

• Implementation of policies and procedures as established by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
• Preparation, negotiation and management of the Court’s budget
• Research, plan and develop methods to improve Court operations
• Jury management
• Personnel Administration
• Information system management
• Space and facilities management
• Procurement of necessary services and supplies; financial management
• Dissemination of information regarding Court activities