The start of 2010 has meant more shuffling in McKean County
Court, specifically the District Attorney’s Office.

After being appointed by the county’s Republican Party months
ago, Ray Learn was sworn in Jan. 4 as the permanent district
attorney. Christa Schott, who served as interim district attorney
while a replacement was found for John Pavlock, is the new juvenile
law master at the McKean County Courthouse.

Both Learn and Schott served as assistants under Pavlock, who
ascended to president judge of McKean County Court after less than
a year behind the bench. The District Attorney’s Office is now
searching for a new full-time assistant.

Under Learn, the office is allotted two full-time assistants and
one part-time position. Erika Mills is currently on board as a
full-time assistant, while Mike Alfieri is the part-time
assistant.

“We always look locally first, and then we also advertise in all
of the regional law schools in Pennsylvania as well as the
University of Buffalo,” Learn said of the process Monday, adding
that candidates must be admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar
Association.

There appears to be no timetable to add a new assistant.

“We don’t want to rush and hire somebody who is not going to fit
with the office,” Learn said.

Instead of seeking the permanent district attorney spot, Schott
chose to take over for former juvenile law master Steve Minor, who
won election as a judge in Potter County. Schott has her own office
now and presides over hearings at least twice a month.

“I sit and preside over hearings for Children and Youth Services
and the Juvenile Probation Department, which is dependency and
delinquency cases,” she said.

In terms of delinquency — when a juvenile breaks a law and is in
trouble — and dependency — matters relating to Children and Youth
Services — the law allows for a master who sits as a hearing
officer to handle certain types of cases in those areas, Schott
explained. She in turn advises Pavlock what should be done in those
cases.

Schott got interested in youth-related matters through the
district attorney’s office, where she was assigned to handle
juvenile delinquency cases for several years.

“I developed a good working relationship with Juvenile
Probation,” Schott said.

Over the years, the former prosecutor also attended conferences
related to the field. Schott found out she enjoyed that line of
service with children.

“In a lot of ways, it’s different from dealing with adults,” she
said. “The focus is more on the child and how to assist them in
becoming productive adults.”