LEWISTOWN — Granville Township Police Chief Craig A. Weston has announced his candidacy for Lewistown magisterial district judge.

Weston has worked for the Granville Township Police Department since 1997. He served as a patrol officer until 2008 when he became the chief of Police.

“l believe that my education, training, law enforcement and courtroom experience make me a qualified candidate for District Judge of Magisterial District 58-3-01,” Weston said. “If elected, I will work diligently to be fair, objective and willing to listen to all sides before coming to a decision.”

The district covers the areas of Granville Township, Juniata Terrace Borough and the Central, North, and West precincts of Lewistown Borough.

“Throughout my career, I have conducted numerous investigations ranging from the most serious crimes such as homicides, assaults, drug and alcohol crimes to the less serious violations such as traffic violations and local ordinances,” he added. “l also am a member of the Mifflin County DUI and Drug Task Force, and also serve as the firearms, taser and pepper spray instructor for the Granville Township Police Department.”

Weston has an associate degree in criminal justice from Harrisburg Area Community College. He graduated from the 68th Municipal Police Officers Academy. Weston attended and successfully completed the mandatory course of instruction required by law to serve as a magisterial district judge and was recently certified by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Minor Judiciary Education Board. Weston said, “if elected, I am officially approved to begin service as our next district judge on day one.”

Weston also worked for a year at the Mifflin County Correctional Facility.

“My education, training and over two decades of law enforcement experience makes me uniquely qualified for the Magisterial District Judge,” he said. “l am a lifelong citizen of Mifflin County and a graduate of Lewistown Area High School. I have been involved in Mifflin County Cops4Kids, member of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association and Pennsylvania DUI Association and serve on the Mifflin County Local Emergency Planning Commission, Mifflin County Criminal Justice Advisory Board, South Central Mountain Regional Task Force and Juniata Valley Tri-County Drug and Alcohol Abuse Committee.”

Weston also serves as the emergency management coordinator for Granville Township.

He said his goals are to use common sense and life experiences to ensure that all parties are heard on a fair and impartial basis, and to practice fair decision-making within the parameters of the law.

“My experience and knowledge of the legal system have provided me with a level of understanding,” Weston said. “l see the everyday problems that people deal with. I also offer an additional perspective because of my law enforcement experience.”

Weston and his wife, Leslie, have been married 25 years. They live in Granville Township with their two daughters, Morgan and Mallory.

A member of the Granville United Methodist Church, Weston enjoys hunting, camping and spending time with family and friends.

Weston also serves as varsity softball coach at Mifflin County High School. He has played and coached at various levels of softball, football, baseball and basketball here in Mifflin County.

“l just want to continue to make a difference in peoples’ lives no matter what I do,” Weston said. “l want to help them get on the right track.”