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Knowing he was sending children to a run-down detention facility, Ciavarella decided a new one was needed and approached power broker Judge Michael Conahan, who assembled an investor group to build a private, for-profit detention facility named PA Child Care. Ciavarella was paid a finder’s fee of 10 percent of construction costs, or $2.2 million, by its builder.
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The Juvenile Law Center asks the Supreme Court to investigate the large number of juveniles appearing without counsel before Luzerne County Judge Mark A. Ciavarella Jr. Ciavarella's incarceration rate for juveniles is more than double the state average.
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Ciavarella removes himself from juvenile court duties and admits he repeatedly failed to properly inform juveniles of their right to counsel.
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The state Supreme Court denies the Juvenile Law Center's request for a review of Ciavarella's cases.
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Posecutors announce Ciavarella and former judge Michael T. Conahan will plead guilty to accepting $2.8 million from individuals tied to for-profit juvenile detention centers. The court removes them from judicial duties.
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The Supreme Court names Senior Berks County Judge Arthur E. Grim to conduct a review.
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Prosecutors announce Conahan has signed a new plea agreement. Ciavarella's attorney says he is preparing for trial.
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The Interbranch Commission holds first of 11 public hearings
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The court adopts Grim's recommendation to vacate all juvenile court sentences.
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The Interbranch Commission issues a 66-page report with recommendations for legislators and the Supreme Court.
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Ciavarella, who is convicted and sentenced to 28 years in prison
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Conahan is sentenced to 17½ years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy.
