Four defendants scheduled for preliminary hearings before District Judge Stephen Bayer in Tamaqua last week decided to skip court. Warrants will be issued for their arrests on charges of failure to appear in court.

Those defendants included:Roxanne Lee Counterman, 42, who was using an address of 139 Beaver Trail in Scotrun. She was due in court to answer to charges of driving under the influence, disregard of a traffic lane, careless driving, reckless driving and driving without functioning rear lights. The charges were filed by Coaldale patrolman Charles Blesse after a Nov. 7 traffic stop.Bernadette Moulthrop, 44, of 212 Center St., Tamaqua, missed her hearing on charges of simple assault and harassment. She was charged by Tamaqua patrolman Collin Leibensperger after a Nov. 11 incident.Jeffrey David Boyer, 51, of 218 All Kings Drive, New Ringgold, was charged with simple assault, public drunkenness, harassment, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia. The charges were filed by Tamaqua patrolman Leibensperger after a Nov. 6 incident.Thomas L. Bilsak Jr., 27, of 125 Holly Lynn Drive, Hazle Township, missed his hearing on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The charges were filed by Rush Township patrolman Douglas Litwhiler and stem from a traffic stop in the township on Nov. 3.A number of defendants opted to waive their preliminary hearings to the Schuylkill County Court level.Michael Joseph Harley, 26, of 317 Schuylkill Ave., Tamaqua, was scheduled for hearings related to incidents in Tamaqua and Rush Township.Tamaqua patrolman Michael Hobbs charged Harley with simple assault, harassment, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property after an Oct 19 incident.Rush Township patrolman Litwhiler charged him with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia after a Nov, 3 traffic stop.James Dean Munch, 23, of 103 Pheasant Circle, Barto, waived his hearing on charges of driving under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and driving an unregistered vehicle. The charges were filed by Rush Township patrolman Litwhiler after an Oct. 7 incident.Monica Russop, 49, of 216 Owl Creek Road, Tamaqua, was scheduled for a hearing on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, which were filed by Tamaqua patrolman Anthony Stanell. The charges stem from a Nov. 3 incident.Ryan A. Schweitzer, 22, of 170 Mahanoy Ave., Tamaqua, was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, scattering rubbish and defiant trespass. The charges were filed by Rush Township Sgt. Duane Frederick and stem from an Aug. 17 incident.Matthew Dutzer, 26, of 692 Laurel St., Hazleton, faces charges of retail theft and receiving stolen property. The charges were filed by Rush Township patrolman Litwhiler in connection with an Oct. 5 incident.