District Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec running for 6th term on bench

Cheryl Peck Yakopec is seeking reelection to a sixth term as a district judge.

The judge for Magisterial District 10-1-04 covers Lower Burrell, Upper Burrell, Allegheny Township, Vandergrift, Hyde Park, East Vandergrift, West Leechburg and Oklahoma Borough.

She is being opposed by attorney Leslie Uncapher Zellers, 56, of Allegheny Township.

Peck Yakopec, 70, of Lower Burrell, who has held the seat for more than 25 years, served as a Westmoreland County public defender for 12 years before being elected. During that period, she said she worked on more than 50 jury trials and taught law classes at Allegheny County Community College’s Boyce Campus.

Peck Yakopec said she is seeking reelection because she “knows I have served my constituents in the best possible manner.”

“People who have had cases before me know they are getting a judge who will listen with a compassionate and understanding ear,” she said. “I try to resolve the conflicts in my courtroom through available counseling programs, such as domestic abuse counseling, drug and alcohol counseling, parenting classes and anger management classes.”

One of the programs, Kids in Court, was launched to serve as a youth internship and community service program.

Peck Yakopec said she has presided over more than 90,000 cases as a district judge and issued thousands of arrest and search warrants, protection from abuse orders and eviction notices.

She said she also has the distinction of presiding over marriage ceremonies for more than 3,000 people — more than any other judge in Westmoreland County.

One of Peck Yakopec’s goals on the bench is to lower the cost to people involved in court proceedings and, when warranted, find ways “to change the bad behavior by giving adults and children a second chance.”

She said she still follows an “open-door policy” instituted when she first sought the post and makes it a practice to be available to those who need to speak with her.

“I am fair, honest, ethical and compassionate,” Peck Yakopec said. “I am the only candidate with years of experience, knowledge and dedication to hit the ground running in this position. There is no substitute for experience.

“If reelected, I promise to continue to fight hard in the courtroom to keep our families and communities safe,” she said.