JUDGE OUT AS DRUG OVERSEER

Superior Court Judge Jane York, who presides over a drug program that helps
users go straight, has been reassigned against her will, angering former
addicts who credit her for turning their lives around.

"I was informed last week out of the blue," York said. "I feel real bad for
the participants. They feel abandoned."

She cried from the bench when she informed the 150 or so recovering drug
addicts in her courtroom last week that she would be leaving. They cried too.

Former drug user Cheryl West, 32, was among those shedding tears.

"She's changed our entire lives," said West, who is now a carpet store
office manager.

York said she helped start two drug courts in Fresno County: one for
first-time offenders that serves about 2,500 people, and one for hard-core
users with multiple arrests. She has presided over the latter since March 1998.

In York's drug court, addicts plead guilty, enter treatment programs and go
to drug court weekly.

West has vowed to fight York's reassignment. West is circulating a petition
to keep York in drug court. West is also filing a complaint with the Fresno
County grand jury.

But Presiding Judge James Quaschnick said Monday that he reassigned York
"for administrative reasons." As presiding judge, Quaschnick oversees the
county court system.

In September, York is scheduled to begin hearing criminal and civil cases
because judges in those areas are retiring.

"We have two judges who are retiring in October and December and two more
next year," Quaschnick said. "It leaves me with inexperienced judges. I'm
putting Jane where she can try cases and help out. It's out of necessity."

York said she asked Quaschnick to delay the reassignment until at least
October so she could preside over the graduation of the drug court she
oversees. During graduation, participants are honored for going straight and
can leave the program.

"I don't have time to wait," Quaschnick said. "I can't put her personal
feelings ahead of the needs of the court. She's done an excellent job."

Besides drug court, York also presided over domestic violence court. She's
giving up that assignment too.

York has the support of fellow law enforcement professionals who deal with
drug addicts.

"We've had several success stories," said probation officer Barbara Cota.
"She's made a huge impact on drug court."

"She's got an excellent reputation," said Lt. Greg Rogers of the Fresno
County Sheriff's Department.

Quaschnick said a commissioner would be temporarily assigned to cover both
drug court and domestic violence court. York will assigned to traffic court
until being assigned civil and criminal trials.

But some fear that the new judge won't be as understanding.

"She reprimanded the ones who needed to be reprimanded," said Patty
Brittain, whose daughter is a recovering drug user. "As a parent, I'm
concerned who they are going to put in her place."

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