Common pleas judge expected to retire

Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Leslie Fleisher is expected to retire early next year, the judge’s attorney said. Several Philadelphia lawyers say they have tangled with the 47-year-old Fleisher in her courtroom and allege she’s behaved improperly on the bench.

Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Leslie Fleisher is expected to retire early next year, the judge’s attorney said. Several Philadelphia lawyers say they have tangled with the 47-year-old Fleisher in her courtroom and allege she’s behaved improperly on the bench.

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[audio: 091222sbjudge.mp3]

Attorney Charles Peruto, Junior doesn’t pull any punches when talking about Judge Fleischer.

Peruto: She has absolutely no knowledge of the law. She comes into court whenever she feels like it. She’s a disgrace to the other judges who do work, and she has no idea what she’s talking about or who she’s insulting.

Peruto says Fleisher threatened to fine him $500 during a case in 2004 after he tried to raise mitigating factors for sentencing. Peruto says Fleisher believed in error that he had waived his right to present mitigating factors.

Fleisher’s lawyer, Sam Stretton, says Peruto was never fined, and that he never alerted the Judicial Conduct Board to the incident.

Stretton: This is something that happened years ago. There’s been no complaint made. He’s never raised the issue. I don’t understand that.

Stretton says Judge Fleisher intends to retire next year to return to her private practice and renew her work fighting for animals’ rights.