DISTRICT JUDGE: GIVE DRUG TESTS TO COURT STAFF

Wally Scott says mandatory checks would answer those who claim
illegal-drug use is common among elected officials, county staff and
law enforcement personnel.

Reading District Judge Wally Scott said Wednesday that he wants all
district and county judges and their staffs to submit to random,
mandatory drug testing.

Scott, in an Oct. 3 letter to Berks County President Judge Arthur E.
Grim, wrote that he believes judges and their staffs should be held
to a high standard.

"I am asking that a policy for mandatory drug testing for the
judiciary be implemented," Scott wrote.

Grim said he is reviewing Scott's proposal.

Scott said he's been criticized for issuing high bails in drug
cases, especially for [Name redacted] and [Name redacted] .

Scott set bail at $1 million and $500,000, respectively, on July 8
after police said they found marijuana growing in the couple's
basement in the 200 block of Douglass Street.

A county judge released the couple from the county prison on their
own recognizance two days later.

Scott said many of his critics argue marijuana should not even be
illegal. They also insinuate there are judges, court staff and law
enforcement personnel who use drugs but don't have to submit to
testing because of their positions, Scott said Wednesday.

"I was surprised to find out there is not mandatory drug testing for
any personnel in the judiciary as well as for other elected
officials as well as law enforcement officers," Scott wrote.

Grim said this week that the issue deserves further consideration.

"Is it important for the judiciary to have a standard of conduct not
only equal to but higher than ordinary people?" Grim asked. "Yes. In
all areas of our life, we should be extraordinarily well-behaved."

He said labor contracts and other factors might make it difficult to
impose a stricter drug-testing policy.

County employees must pass a drug test when they are hired and must
submit to drug testing if a supervisor suspects they are abusing
drugs or alcohol, officials said.

"Simply testing people when they are hired isn't enough in my mind,"
Scott said.

Scott said he also sent the letter to the other 17 district judges
in Berks County.

District Judge Nicholas M. Bentz of Shillington, president of the
Berks County District Judges Association, declined comment.