Judge Carolyn Carluccio Launches PA Supreme Court Bid

Judge Carolyn Carluccio

Launches PA Supreme Court Bid

Our very own Judge Carolyn T. Carluccio announced her Republican candidacy for Pennsylvania Supreme Court today. The incumbent Common Pleas Judge from Montgomery County aims to bring experience unmatched, proven temperament, and unquestioned impartiality to Pennsylvania’s highest court.

“I’m running for two reasons. First, I have a passion for the law. The American system of justice is exceptional as we are all equal under the law,” said Carluccio. “Second, like all Pennsylvanians I want a justice system that is fair and impartial.”

Judge Carluccio was elected to the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court in November 2009, where she has served with distinction on the Family, Criminal and Civil Court benches. Last year she was unanimously chosen by her peers to serve as the Court’s first female President Judge in the County’s history. In her second year on the bench, she was President of the 2,000-member Montgomery Bar Association.

“For 13 years, I have had the privilege of presiding over criminal, family, civil and some juvenile cases,” continued Judge Carluccio. “This diverse court experience can serve as an asset to Pennsylvanians seeking experienced judges for our highest court.”

As the county’s first female President Judge, Carluccio exceeded all expectations.

“Clearly, I was overwhelmed with their faith in me. I was very excited to work with all of my colleagues and other members of the court and the bar to move forward together,” said Carluccio. “The fact that the members of my bench unanimously chose me was also very humbling, comforting and encouraging.” Since becoming the President Judge, Carluccio has effectively and efficiently made changes in the way the court does business to clean up backlogs in the system created during the pandemic.

Carluccio is a past president of the Montgomery Bar Association and has served on more than 15 committees of the association, including chair of the community outreach committee with which she helped spearhead the Courting Art initiative aimed at adorning the walls of the courthouse with paintings by local artists. She also jointly began the Leadership Academy, mentoring and teaching younger lawyers leadership skills both in the community and in the bar. Carluccio has earned the Bar’s Past President’s Award, Committee of the Year Award for Women in Law, and for the Leadership Academy, and received the coveted Margaret Richardson Award.

Judge Carluccio began her legal career as a Federal Assistant United States Attorney prosecuting largescale drug dealers, bank robbers, and money launderers. Her work earned her recognition from the United States Secret Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

“Drug dealers are lawbreakers: plain and simple,” continued Judge Carluccio. “I have experience putting dangerous criminals behind bars. I know what prosecutors need from judges to keep our streets safe.”

Judge Carluccio served as the first female Chief Public Defender for Montgomery County, where she managed a team of 35 staff and attorneys, was the Chief Deputy Solicitor for the County and served as the Acting Director of Human Resources.

“I was proud to be the first female Chief Public Defender in my county’s history,” continued Judge Carluccio. “The position instilled in me a passion to ensure those with a diminished voice in our criminal justice system are heard.”

Judge Carluccio earned her Bachelor of Arts from Dickinson College and her Juris Doctor Degree from Delaware Law School. Carluccio’s Court Admissions include: Pennsylvania, Delaware, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, District of Delaware, Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and United States Supreme Court.

“Pennsylvanians want qualified and experienced judges. I have been lucky to enjoy and thrive in every position I have held in the law and I believe my varied experience as a litigator, a judge and a leader makes me uniquely qualified,” said Carluccio.

A life-long resident of Montgomery County, Judge Carluccio is married to her husband with three adult children: Andrew, Charlie and Joseph.

Carluccio has strong roots to the Norristown area. Her mother grew up on Freedley Street and her father grew up on Marshall Street, in the east-end.

“I love Montgomery County. I was born and raised here and I have very strong family ties here. Anything I can do for the county and with the county is exciting for me and pursuing a seat on the Supreme Court seems like a natural transition for me as I have progressed in my career here in Montgomery County,” Carluccio said.

“I hope to share my enthusiasm for the law, our constitution and the rights of our citizens as a member of that great bench,” closed Carluccio.