From the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts:

HARRISBURG — Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ronald D. Castille today issued the following statement on Governor Tom Corbett’s signing of SB 334 abolishing Philadelphia Traffic Court:

“I would like to thank Senator Dominic Pileggi for introducing and Governor Corbett for signing a bill that moves the operations of Philadelphia’s Traffic Court to the Philadelphia Municipal Court.

“For far too many years, two tracks of justice applied at Traffic Court: one for the politically connected and one for the honest citizen. Such a disgrace that reaches back decades and involved two other FBI raids will finally end.

“The problems with Traffic Court have been well-documented, starting with the investigative report prepared for the First Judicial District at my direction. The willingness of our sister branches to quickly join with the judiciary as we work to correct the problems is appreciated.

“This is an example of collaboration at its best. Traffic adjudications touch more citizens than any other part of the court system, and this step will help to restore public confidence that all cases will be fairly decided.”

Photo/Natalie Cake