Leister ‘didn’t miss a beat’
Port Royal judge temporarily fills vacant seat
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LEWISTOWN -- When last we heard from long-time Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline Leister, she was putting down the gavel and riding off into the sunset for a much-deserved transition to the next stage in her life.
Somewhere down that road to retirement, Leister made a U-turn. Now, she finds herself back on the bench, presiding in Mifflin County district court as a senior judge.
"Right now, it's just one day a week. I told them two days is my max," said Leister, who has temporarily filled the seat held by former Magisterial District Judge Jonathan Reed. When Reed was elected as a judge for the Mifflin County Court of Common Pleas, it created a vacancy in his courtroom.
Leister's first day back in district court was Jan. 11, 2024. She assumed that role on a part-time basis until Gov. Josh Shapiro appointed a new judge for District 58-3-02. The district court is located at 7 Ort Valley Road, Lewistown, which makes for a 45-minute commute.
Leister, who announced she was retiring as a judge for District 41-3-02, located in Port Royal in Juniata County, at the end of 2023, decided to submit her application to become a senior judge before her retirement became effective.
That enabled her to apply for the senior judge position.
"So, I can go anywhere in Pennsylvania, if I'm needed," Leister explained. "This has been so close."
She was actually approached about becoming a senior judge as there is a lack of them within the Commonwealth. She just had to apply before her retirement took effect.
"Once I was approved, I started working here," she recalled. "I really didn't get any retirement."
Initially, Leister said she regretted making a commitment to the position because of a family member's ailing health. However, she eventually found the job and took her mind off things when the family member passed away.
Leister admits last year was terribly difficult as she had four deaths in her family.
"It all happened very fast," Leister explained. "Now, I'm glad I decided to do it."
Working one day in district court, she admits her day is potentially full as she tries to schedule cases from morning to late afternoon "to get it all."
The types of cases she hears also hasn't been much different from what she was used to while serving in Juniata County.
"Mifflin and Juniata are alike counties, so things are similar," Leister said. "It's worked out very well."
With a lighter schedule, a full-blown retirement isn't in her plans right now.
"I'm back in the saddle," she added. "I feel like I didn't miss a beat. Things are going very smoothly and the staff here is wonderful."