“I love the job, but I can’t stay forever. So, I have to decide to let go.”
With those words, 2024 marks the end of an era in Falls Township as District Judge Jan Vislosky prepares to retire from her courthouse. For 30 years, she has presided over thousands of cases at the District Court located at 9187 New Falls Rd, in Levittown.
Former state Representative John Galloway will be sworn in next week.
The transition affects not only Vislosky and Galloway but many other people – the courthouse staff, the police, the constable, her family, Galloway’s staff, his family and the long-time residents of Falls who probably have only known one judge’s name in their lifetime – Vislosky.
The Vislosky name has been well-known in Falls Township. Her late mother, Dorothy was a political advocate in the 1960s before she was elected Pennsbury School Director, Falls Township Supervisor, and Bucks County District Judge. She was appointed in 1994 as a Pennsylvania senior justice.
The apple didn’t fall far from the tree when it came to public service.
A life-long resident of Falls, Vislosky was elected to be district judge when her mother retired. She was previously the township’s tax collector and served for 12 years before being elected to her first term as district judge.
Vislosky said it was important to show those that came before her, she was going to her own woman or judge so to speak
The first year of her term, showing all decisions were her own and not being swayed or helped, she made her decisions from the bench without consulting her mother, Doing this, she felt she would gain the trust and respect of the residents who came before her.
Vislosky earned that trust and respect so much that she was elected four more times to six-year terms. Vislosky also gained trust and respect from the accused people and prisoners, she said.
It was really important to me to show I could stand on my own doing this job, she said.
Clearly remembering one arrest from years past, she said, led to male suspect to ask if she “was on-call” and if not, could they wait for her to come on duty.
Joanne Ames({Lower Bucks Source) talking with Judge Vislosky
She smiled at the memory of the past arrest story, told by one of the many officers coming to her court.
Vislosky has seen many changes in the types of cases through the years. In her early days many of the criminal cases were alcohol related, such as DUIs, and now almost every criminal case she sees interrelates with drugs. According to Vislosky, there are times people are under the influence, even in burglary and assault cases. Many times, these criminal acts would not have been committed had they not been under the influence, she said.
“It’s very sad. People need help, and there are programs we try to get them into when they come here, but they still have to face the charges they got,” she said.
She continues saying most of the defendants she sees are good people who made a mistake.
“I treat everybody with respect. Even the big criminal cases and I have had homicide cases, but at this level, they’re not found guilty. So, that’s still an innocent person.”
Because the person is still an innocent person in her court, when she is setting bail, Vislosky weighs different factors such as: do they have family in area, are they in the area, are they a flight risk, do they have a job, are they going to go back and finish the “fight” and did she use her best judgment (“we all can’t see the future”). “Bail isn’t punishment. It’s to ensure their appearance in court and to make sure everyone is safe,” said Vislosky.
When asked why she was retiring now, Vislosky said she and her husband discussed retirement for approximately two years before making her decision. Vislosky did not want to be elected to a six-term position and possibly not fulfill the term.
“My decision is right for me at age 67. I will miss all the wonderful people I have met and worked with for the past 42 years, but I am not leaving Falls Township. I will still attend community events and activities.”
Her last day as Judge of Falls Township will be December 31, 2023. She said that since the 31st falls on a weekend, her last official day on the bench will be today, December 29.
Although she is retiring, she will be working in Pennsylvania courts.
“I have just been accepted as a Senior Judge. I will be able to sit in courts across Pennsylvania when they need a judge to fill in for a sick or retired one. I am not leaving the job completely, but I will have more time to spend with my family and friends.”
Galloway called Vislosky an asset to Falls and a leader among women.
“She will be greatly missed” he said.
When asked who carries on the Vislosky tradition of being a judge in Falls Township, Vislosky said, “Nobody. It’s done. “
With that said, when 2023 comes to a close, so will the Vislosky era.
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