Judges in Schuylkill County court dealt with many phases of the law, including dismissing criminal charges, holding bench warrant hearngs, on violations of protection from abuse orders and appeals from sumnmary convictions.

President Judge William E. Baldwin heard motions from District Attorney Karen Byrnes Noon on cases she could not prosecute. Motions to nolle proseque was granted in the following cases:harges of simple assault and harassment against Eric J. Burger, 27, Sugarload, Luzerne County were dismissed because the victim, Kathryn Hartley, Oneida, East Union Township, did not wish to pursue the charges.Charges of aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, and simple assault were dismissed against Kevin Cannon, 31, Pottsville, because the DA claimed the victims, Xenbnie Thompson and Frank and Stefanie Oshinski, Pottsville, did not respond to any contact to prosecute the case.Emmanuel Santiago, 25, Shenandoah, had charges of simple assault, terroristic threats, and recklessly endangering another person dropped because the victim, Jillian Hernandez, Shenandoah, did not wish to pursue prosecution.Spenser Holbrook, 23, Jonestown, had charges of burglary dropped because restitution was paid and the victim, Jason Feterhoff, Tower City, did not wish to proceed with further action.Fernando Hernandez, 24, Shenandoah, had charges of simple assault dismissed because the victim, Christa Lopez, Shenandoah, agreed to have the charge dropped.Bench hearingsJames J. Gatens, 61, of 320 Arlington St., Tamaqua, after a hearng had his bench warrant dissolved by Judge Charles M. Miller and bail was set at $5,000 unsecured with stipulation he must reside at the Tamaqua address and attend all future court hearings.A bench warrant was issued last May 30 when he failed to appear in court for a pre-trial conference. Gatens faces a charge of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol filed by Tamaqua Patrolman Matthew Houser.Tameeka R. Hawkins, 41, Philadelphia, after a hearng had her bench warrant dissolved by Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin and her bail was continued with the condition she must attend all future court proceedings. A bench warrant was issued for her failure to appear in court for a pre-trial conference. She faces a charge of possession of a controlled substance when visiting the state correctional facility in Mahanoy Township.James Hossler Jr., 30, Ashland, had the bench warrant disssolved by Judge James P. Goodman and bail reinstated. The bench warrant was issued when he failed to appear in court for a guilty plea. He faces a charge of simple assault on Nicole Ann Quick, Pottsville.PFA hearingsJudge James P. Goodman handed down rulings on hearings held for defendants charged with indirect criminal contempt for alleged violations of a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order.Carl Eugene Levan, Catawissa, was found guilty and was fined $300 and costs and placed on probation for six months to run consecutive to a sentence imposed by Columbia County court.The contempt charge against Russell C. Teter, Minersville, was dismissed becase the victim, April Jo Teter, failed to appear to present evidence.Ernest Allen Rosemond, 35, Pottsville, was found guilty and was fined $300 and costs and was given credit for serving time in prison since last April 25 to date of hearing and was released. The PFA was obtained by Bridget Steffie, Pottsville.Summary offensesJesse Renninger Jr., 66, Sunbury, won his appeal when the arresting officer failed to show for the hearing and the Commonwealth had no evidence to present.Renninger was cited last December by Sgt. John G. Richardson, of Reading state police barracks, when stopped on Interstate 81 in Pine Grove Township.At the district judge's hearing the officer was present and Renninger was adjudged guilty of a charge of failing to drive within a single lane and his vehicle drifted over to the right side and struck several cones in a construction zone. The fine and costs were dismissed by Judge James P. Goodman.Steven Herman, 40, Saint Clair, was found guilty by Judge John E. Domalakes of a charge of failing to provide a license but not guilty of driving while his license was suspended and he was fined $25 plus $50 costs.