Published: May 09, 2009 10:43 pm      

Cambria County judge candidate: Gary Jubas

Gary Jubas

Age: 49.

Residence: Barr Township.

Law office: 214 S. Center St., Ebensburg.

Education: A graduate of Northern Cambria High School. Received bachelor’s degree in criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and law degree from George Mason University School of Law, Arlington, Va.

Background: Has practiced law and served as a part-time assistant district attorney in Cambria County for past 17 years. Previously was a law clerk for the late Judge Eugene Creany for three years. Has taught law classes for 14 years at Pitt-Johnstown and St. Francis University. Solicitor for Northern Cambria School District and various organizations.

Family: Married to the former Deborah Tomallo.



The six candidates for Cambria County judge were asked to answer nine questions from county government reporter Sandra K. Reabuck. The answers appear below.

The questions asked were:

1. What characteristics make a good country judge?

2. Why do you think you would be a good judge?

3. Are Cambria County judges too lenient in sentencing defendants in serious crimes? We hear about judges in other counties imposing stiff terms in such cases as armed robberies, vehicular homicides and embezzlements of large amounts of money, but not so much in Cambria.

4. Do you have specific suggestions for any improvements in the county court system?

5. Are too many people excused from jury duty in Cambria County? If so, what would you do to change the situation?

6. Are there too many plea bargains for criminal defendants? It seems that there are only a half-dozen trials in any one year.

7. We get a lot of calls about custody and divorce cases and unfairness by the courts in them. Should the court look at revamping how domestic relations cases are handled?

8. Are the fees too high in divorce/custody cases in Cambria County? A person has to pay $100 to get a custody issue decided and $500 for divorce or equitable distribution issues.

9. Do you think partisan elections are the best way to fill judicial seats, or should judges be appointed?



1. Administering the law to all parties fairly, adhering to the Pennsylvania Sentencing Guidelines, and performing the judicial process with compassion, understanding and good common sense.

2. I was a judicial law clerk with the Honorable Eugene Creany for three years. In that time, Judge Creany not only taught me about law, he taught me more about life.

One of the most important lessons learned was that all people are entitled to their fair and full day in court. Judge Creany was, and always will be, a role model for me.

In addition, my 17 years of experience as an assistant district attorney and maintaining a general practice of law together with teaching law for 14 years at two local universities gives me a complete understanding of the judicial process.

3. The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing Report indicates that Cambria County conforms to or exceed the suggested guideline sentences in over 90 percent of their cases. I am proud to say that I was involved in the prosecution of Ricky Gaddis, who received more than 200 years in prison for the rape and torture of his children – thus, making this sentence a state record.

4. Any system can be improved. However, it appears that the courts are functioning well. Currently there is no backlog of cases, there is a high percentage collection rate for costs and fines and no grievances exist between the bench and bar.

5. During my 20 years in the courts, I have found that people have had legitimate reasons, whether personal or health related, to be excused from jury duty. I have never experienced a shortage of jurors when picking a jury in Cambria County, even for murder cases.

6. Plea bargains that are approved by the district attorney, the police and the victim(s) they represent are a vital tool in the administration of the criminal justice system. Plea bargains assure that the interests of the commonwealth and victims are protected and that criminal defendants accept responsibility for their actions.

The use of plea bargains eliminates the uncertainity of outcome that exists anytime a case goes to trial.

Trials are necessary in cases that cannot be resolved with the proper use of the plea bargaining process.

7. Nothing is more important than dealing with the sensitive issues of family and children during a divorce. In my 17 years of private practice, I have found that a judge needs to exercise great patience and compassion for all parties involved, especially the children.

8. It takes money to run the court effectively. The money can only come from one of two sources, the litigants (parties to the lawsuit) or the taxpayers.

9. I believe the people should appoint their judge, not a politician.