January 03, 2022
Former Bryant Larrabee, P.C. Attorney starts second term as District Attorney
Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna began his second term in office Monday.
For court staff everywhere, the pandemic has presented unique challenges in court schedules.
Cantorna says they’re getting caught up as another drug crisis, the opioid epidemic, also rages on.
Moments after being sworn in for a second term of office Monday, Centre County’s District Attorney, sounding like many in discussing the pandemic and hopes for the new year.
“Getting back to normal, how we’re supposed to operate we’ve learned how to deal with the pandemic in the court system,” said Cantorna.
Cases, hearings and trials being delayed due to COVID is just one of the many court challenges.
One of Cantorna’s initiatives a veterans’ treatment court in Centre County to help vets charged with a non violent crime is moving forward.
The COVID pandemic has overshadowed the ongoing opioid crisis.
On the D.A.’s wish-list, is that some of the opioid settlement money from the drug manufacturers be earmarked for the court system.
“To get more in our drug court, that would be great, more money for the court and our treatment programs,” Cantorna said. “Because we see many here in the court system where its obvious something else is going on with them with a drug problem.”
In Pennsylvania alone last year, nearly 5,200 people died from drug overdoses.