In 2005, Judge Walter Luniewski retired, opening the gates for a heated magistrate race. In the end, Jeffrey Herbst (a former police officer and criminal justice teacher) won against all odds. Although he cross-filed as a Democrat and Republican, as most judges do, he is a registered Republican in an overwhelmingly Democratic constituency. However, it`s not politics that dictates his agenda; it`s his practical experience. Being a police officer for 25 years equipped him with a range of knowledge, from the procedures in the courtroom to the nitty-gritty of the streets.

The Court covers the Municipality of Monroeville and the Borough of Pitcairn. Monroeville is one of the larger and more popular suburbs of Pittsburgh due to William Penn Highway: a long stretch filled with ethnic restaurants, corporate businesses, the famous Expo-Mart, and Monroeville Mall. The area deals with heavy traffic because its turnpike station serves as the connecting point between towns in Westmoreland County and Pittsburgh, as well as being a part of Route 22, which goes into Murrysville. Each year, the area sees over 3,000 traffic charges. On a lighter note, George Romero chose Monroeville Mall as the location for his 1978 horror flick \"Dawn of the Dead.\" Down the hill from Monroeville, Pitcairn is mainly residential, run-down, and more susceptible to crime.

Honorable Jeffrey L. Herbst

Speeding tickets on the highways make for a busy Monroeville Traffic Court.