News

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Appoints Three to the Criminal Procedural Rules Committee

September 30, 2002

HARRISBURG, September 30, 2002 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the appointment of three new members, and other organizational changes, to the Criminal Procedural Rules Committee. John Elash, Esq., Allegeheny County; Philip P. Friedman, Esq., Erie County and Nicholas J. Nastasi, Esq., Philadelphia, were appointed to three-year terms that begin October 1, 2002. The Hon. John J. Driscoll, Westmoreland County, was named committee chairman and the Hon. Donna Jo McDaniel, Allegheny County, vice chairman, beginning October 1, 2002. The committee is an advisory arm to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania that helps to prescribe general rules governing criminal practice and procedure. The committee monitors recent developments in criminal procedure in Pennsylvania and other jurisdictions to identify areas where criminal rules need to be amended, revised, streamlined or simplified. The committee also reviews and responds to the numerous questions raised by judges, lawyers, and court personnel; the public; and agencies within the criminal justice system. The committee has 16 members, including one ex officio member. Each member's term is three years in length and members may serve a maximum of two full terms.