Victims sought for testimony at Westmoreland Register of Wills contempt hearing

People impacted by delays in filing adoption records could be called as witnesses at a hearing next month in Westmoreland County court to address the issue.

Two county judges will review whether Register of Wills Sherry Magretti Hamilton violated court orders that required her courthouse office meet specific deadlines to complete overdue work.

According to a new court order filed Wednesday, Hamilton, who was elected to a third term, was summoned by the judges to appear before them in a consolidated hearing on March 14. They will consider contempt of court allegations and hear defense of her office’s work over the last month.

Hamilton was originally slated to appear March 8 before Common Pleas Court Judge Jim Silvis on allegations she and her office violated court orders from November 2022 that required her to file and process overdue adoption certificates and appeals.

That hearing was pushed back a week and was consolidated with a second case before Judge Harry Smail Jr., who, following a court appearance last month, threatened Hamilton with contempt of court in response to accusations of continued filing delays.

Alleged victims are being asked to register with Silvis’ staff to make statements at the March hearing explaining how they were impacted by the filing delays.

Smail also ordered Hamilton to appear before him at the same hearing to review and assess her compliance of a second court order issued Jan. 31 that required her office to again complete the filing of backlogged case work.

“The court reserves the right to address any additional Orphan’s Court related concerns at that time,” according to the new court order.

Smail required Hamilton’s office to complete pending scanning, docketing and distribution of orders, disposition and estate documents within 10 days; file and process adoption records within five days, and ensure all other outstanding work is finalized in a timely manner.

The court’s intervention came following a series of allegations that work in the courthouse record keeping office responsible for wills and estates, adoptions and marriage licenses was not being promptly completed. Hamilton blamed work delays on staff shortages and issues of insubordination and disloyalty from employees.

Hamilton said earlier this month that work to meet the judicial requirements was ongoing and that she is increasing the size of her staff to meet the work demands of the office.