Allegheny County Councilwoman Bethany Hallam issued a formal County Council proclamation on Tuesday recognizing Magisterial District Justice Xander Orenstein for “dedication to serving the residents of the region and putting the just in justice.”
This would be the same Xander Orenstein who has been barred indefinitely by court leaders from presiding over arraignment hearings for releasing alleged dangerous criminals without cash bail.
As the Post-Gazette reports it:
“The proclamation states that Judge Orenstein is the first non-binary person elected to a judicial position in the United States, and it commends Judge Orenstein for their work in disease and cancer research, along with housing advocacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proclamation also summarizes the judge’s views on criminal justice, which have been backed by some criminal justice reform advocates and progressives.”
The proclamation does not mention Orenstein’s barring.
Here’s how Orenstein put the “just in justice” in two high-profile criminal cases:
He released, without bail, Yan Carlos Pichardo Cepeda, who was arrested at the Greyhound bus station in downtown Pittsburgh for allegedly having more than $1 million worth of fentanyl.
And Orenstein released, without bail, Hermas Craddock, who was arrested after leading police on a high-speed chase, charged with more than five dozen offenses, many felonies.
Each skipped town — and their next hearing dates. Both fugitives from justice were recently recaptured out of state; returning them involved a significant expense to local taxpayers.
Their danger to the public weal was manifest.
Local law enforcement officials were outraged from the get-go. As they should have been. The court system’s administrative leaders took action to preclude further Orenstein-created chaos. It had no other option.
And while Orenstein reportedly is going through some kind of reorientation/retraining, we have serious doubts that he will change his ways. If so, more serious steps must be considered, up to and including removal from office.
As for Councilwoman Hallam, she chose this moment in time to support Orenstein for his other “accomplishments.” From her proclamation:
“Xander’s strongest belief when it comes to justice — not law, which they say is different — comes down to treating others with respect and kindness … [they are] loved by many people in the neighborhood, [and] Xander is recognized for the many renters and landlords they helped with mediation, the queer people they’ve married, and the great violence prevention work.”
But in the process, Hallam poked law enforcement and the courts in the eye. Then she spit in the eye of authority. Orenstein did not treat the public with “respect and kindness” but with disdain.
That’s not “putting the just in justice.” That’s mocking justice and endangering the public. And that’s no way to conduct public policy.
Colin McNickle is communications and marketing director at the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy (cmcnickle@alleghenyinstitute.org).
