Despite grumbling, skepticism, and even passive resistance from some city judges, the justices imposed a series of directives that have dramatically reshaped the court arena.
District Attorney Seth Williams, who took office in January, put forth an ambitious agenda of his own and often worked with the justices to effect change.
Now, early statistics seem to show that the changes are paying off.
In separate studies, a consultant hired by the Supreme Court and a new research unit in the District Attorney's Office found that Philadelphia Municipal Court judges are tossing out fewer cases and sending more defendants on to trial in Common Pleas Court. Previously, judges in the lower court were dismissing thousands of cases each year with no ruling on the merits.
The changes have been far-reaching:
Castille and McCaffery imposed rules giving city prosecutors more time to prepare cases, and ordered Municipal Court's two dozen judges to hold preliminary hearings in absentia for defendants who fail to show.
The two justices have proposed to spare thousands of victims from having to testify at early court hearings on property crimes, saying police could take the stand on their behalf. The full court is expected to approve this within the month.
They also appointed a panel to study the system from top to bottom and recommend reforms. The state Senate also created a task force to address the issues raised in The Inquirer's series.
Williams revamped his office's charging unit, ordering his prosecutors to be more selective in bringing cases and charges.
