Ex-jurist reports to chemo treatment, not prison

Superior Court puts Rita A. Arnold’s state jail sentence on hold By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times A Superior Court decision has enabled Rita A. Arnold, a former magisterial district judge, to continue with her chemotherapy treatment, not report to state prison. An embattled former Chester County magisterial district judge got a Christmas Eve reprieve from the Superior Court, which...

Visiting judge denies ex-jurist’s plea for clemency

Rita A. Arnold ordered to return to state prison on Dec. 27 By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times A visiting senior judge denied a defense request to reconsider the state prison term imposed two months ago on Rita A. Arnold, a former magisterial district judge. A visiting judge rejected a motion for reconsideration for a former magisterial district justice in Chester County Court on Tuesday...

Judge sets bail for convicted ex-jurist

Former Magisterial District Judge Rita A. Arnold must post $100,000 A senior judge set bail for Rita A. Arnold at $100,000 cash pending her appeal of a 16- to 32-month prison sentence. A day after the attorney for an embattled former Chester County magisterial district justice argued that her client deserved bail pending appeal, a judge granted the request. Responding to a motion filed by Heidi F....

Ex-jurist will ‘die in prison,’ attorney warns

She filed motion to modify ‘harsh” sentence imposed on Rita A. Arnold By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Rita A. Arnold was sentenced on Wednesday to 16 to 32 months in prison. The attorney for an embattled former Chester County magisterial district justice argued that her client “will almost certainly die in prison” if a visiting judge does not reduce her jail term. As...

Former jurist slammed with state prison term

Rita A. Arnold ordered to spend 16 to 32 months in jail  By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Former Magisterial District Judge Rita A. Arnold received a 16- to 32-month state prison sentence Tuesday in Chester County Court. Stressing that “the oath we take to tell the truth” must mean something, a visiting judge issued an aggravating-range sentence to an embattled former Chester...

Day of reckoning for former jurist delayed

Visiting judge continues sentencing for Rita Arnold until Oct. 15 By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times The sentencing for Rita A. Arnold, a former magisterial district judge, had been postponed until Oct. 15. The day of reckoning for a former Chester County magisterial district judge has been postponed until mid-October. On Tuesday, after meeting with attorneys on both sides, Senior Judge...

Former jurist pleads guilty to obstructing justice

Visiting Philadelphia judge to sentence Rita A. Arnold on July 23 By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Former Magisterial District Judge Rita A. Arnold, 57, pleaded guilty on Monday to obstructing justice and tampering with public records. The fate of a former, longtime Chester County magisterial district judge now lies in the hands of a senior judge from Philadelphia. On Monday, Senior...