Publications

By Jack A. Panella

I have written two books and authored a number of other materials for the judiciary.

I have a number of published materials. I have written two books for the judicial and legal professions. The first was the Pennsylvania Benchbook on Crimes of Sexual Violence, which was initially published in 2007. This benchbook is a comprehensive reference guide designed to prepare trial judges the complex and constantly changing criminal justice issues surrounding sexual violence cases. A second edition was published in 2009, and an updated third edition will be published in 2014. A news report about the publication of this book is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qHJUtpTlLs.

My second book was a version of the benchbook for the lower judiciary, which in Pennsylvania is called Magisterial District Court. These judges handle very important pre-trial stages of criminal cases. The benchbook was written to help them in these states, which include the preliminary hearing and arraignment. An interview about this book is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dRPYmGbMfc.

In 2007, I conceived and wrote a short film about the operation of the Pennsylvania judiciary. The film was produced by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts and is shown in schools throughout Pennsylvania. It is available for viewing on the website of the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts and is also shown at the visitor's area of the Judicial Center in Harrisburg. The film can also be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9WDkCm1WTM.

In 2004, I was asked by the American Bar Association to write a magazine article about an innovative project then being organized by the Pennsylvania judiciary called the Commonwealth Partners Program. This program arranged informal meetings for judges with members of the legislative and executive branches of government to discuss common areas of concern.

In June of 2005, in light of Father's Day, I wrote an editorial piece for my local newspaper, the Easton Express-Times. I wanted to stress the important values and life lessons we learn from our parents. My father was a working man who taught me by his example and work ethics. I wrote another op-ed column for the Express Times in 2012 in which I discussed the horrible injuries being sustained by the members of our military in Afghanistan, and how we should all recognized the sacrifices of our military personnel and their families.

Book: Pennsylvania Sexual Violence Benchbook, First Edition, December 2007 and Second Edition, December 2009;

Book: Pennsylvania Sexual Violence Benchbook, Magisterial District Court Edition, First Edition, April 2010;

Film Script: The Judicial Branch, Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System, video produced by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, 2007;

Editorial Piece: Dad Taught Lessons of Life through Silent Example, the Express-Times Newspaper, June 2005;

Article: Finding Common Ground between Governmental Branches: The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Partners Program, the ABA Judges' Journal, Summer 2004.

Op-Ed Column: Give Thanks By Supporting Wounded Soldiers, the Express-Times Newspaper, November 22, 2012.