Q&A with candidates for magisterial district judge in Waynesboro and Washington Township
Two candidates are running in the May 16 primary election for the Republican nomination for the magisterial district judge position that serves the Borough of Waynesboro and Washington Township.
They are Bryan P. Chappell Jr., a Waynesboro police officer, and Annie R. Gomez Shockey, the current magisterial district judge.
Gomez Shockey cross-filed so her name also appears on the Democratic ballot, where there are no other candidates for the six-year seat.
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We asked the candidates to respond to a few questions via email. Below are their responses, listed in the order the candidates will appear on the ballot.
Bryan P. Chappell Jr.
Why are you running for magisterial district judge?
My decision to run for Magisterial District Judge was not an easy one. When I returned home from the Iraq War in 2004 and became a police officer I never thought I would leave this profession, but I swore to myself and many others that I would not allow our community members to continue to be re-victimized.
What skills, background and qualifications do you have for the position?
As the next Magisterial District Judge, I bring a very unique skill set not typically seen on the bench. As a police officer for the last 19 years I have unfortunately seen firsthand the impact that crime has on members of our community and their families as well as what happens by not holding people accountable.
Some of my more unique and prestigious certifications are that I graduated as a hostage/crisis negotiator. I am currently an accident reconstruction investigator. I am also a shift supervisor. I have also received training certification from the FBI as an Active Shooter Threat Instructor. These are just a few of well over a hundred certifications that I have been awarded. I have thousands of hours of actually implementing and using current case law. I am currently a member of Crisis Intervention and am a member of Crisis International.
My training, experience, and actually implementing/enforcing laws make me the best candidate for the next Magisterial District Judge.
Anything else you would like to add?
No response.
Annie R. Gomez Shockey
Why are you running for magisterial district judge?
I care about justice being properly served in Waynesboro and Washington Township. Serving as Magisterial District Judge is one way for me to give back to the community where I grew up and where I'm raising my son. The role of Magisterial District Judge is important to our community and I believe whoever serves in that role should be competent and have the temperament to serve. Since taking office, I have reduced a backlog of warrants, streamlined the judicial process within my office, come in under budget, and efficiently and effectively delivered justice to the people of Waynesboro and Washington Township. Our court is consistently one of the busiest in Franklin County, and I am pleased to say that we are one of the most efficient. I am running to continue serving the people of Waynesboro and Washington Township, ensuring that they receive a fair trial and that public safety is preserved. I want to continue to see our community thrive and prosper, and that begins with competent and professional courts.
What skills, background and qualifications do you have for the position?
Serving as a Magisterial District Judge (MDJ) is no small task. It requires training, dedication, and a special skillset, which is why the PA Constitution and Judicial Code place such strict guidelines on who is qualified to hold this critical office. As the sitting MDJ I am the only candidate with experience serving in this role. Additionally, I am qualified under Pennsylvania law to serve because I am a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania. Prior to being elected to the bench in 2018, I was an attorney for 10 years working in every area of law that comes before the Magisterial District Court. A MDJ not only hears criminal cases, but civil cases, protection from abuse matters, landlord and tenant disputes, and a myriad of other aspects of our daily lives. Since becoming an MDJ, I attend continuing legal education classes annually in order to stay abreast of any updates or additions to the law.
Anything else you would like to add?
For many people, the MDJs office is their first interaction with the judicial system. This office requires a competent professional serving as judge to ensure that the rights of both the defendant and complainant are upheld. I support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the laws of our state and nation on a daily basis, guided by the Golden Rule of "do unto others." It truly has been my privilege to serve as Magisterial District Judge and I look forward to the opportunity to continue serving the people of Waynesboro and Washington Township.
This article originally appeared on Waynesboro Record Herald: Bryan Chappell, Annie Gomez Shockey run for magisterial district judge
