AG: Bench Warrant for Venetia Attorney Could Be Result of 'Miscommunication'

While the state Department of the Attorney General confirmed a bench warrant was issued for a disbarred Venetia attorney accused of a forgery and a host of other charges, a spokesman said Wednesday afternoon there “may have been a miscommunication.”

James A. Marchewka, 42, was scheduled to appear in Washington County Court of Common Pleas on 42 counts of forgery, 10 felony counts of tampering with public records and identification, and numerous misdemeanor charges. 

Senior Deputy Attorney General Anthony Krastek said that an out-of-county judge issued the warrant when James Marchewka did not show up for a formal arraignment Wednesday.

But Krastek said that could have contributed to this mixup:

In Washington County court, he said, it is generally acceptable for a defendant not to show up to formal arraignments as long as his or her attorney does on his behalf. And Marchewka, Krastek said, did not retain counsel until late Tuesday.

However, a court docket confirms that Washington County President Judge Debbie O'Dell Seneca canceled the bench warrant late Wednesday.

Originally, charges were filed by state police and he was first arraigned before district Judge Ethan Ward on April 28, and later released on a $150,000 bond.

Krastek said Wednesday afternoon he was not aware of the status of the bench, and that further details would be forthcoming on the issue.