Richard M. Cappelli

Richard Cappelli graduated from Widener University School of Law in 1981 and has maintained a private law practice concentrating in Personal Injury, Wills and Estates as well as business counseling since that time.  In 1993 he was appointed to the first full time child advocate in Delaware County. As a Child Advocate, he created the Special Prosecution unit for the District Attorney’s office for the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases.

From 1985 to 1992 he served as master in Juvenile Court. He also served as Municipal Solicitor for Trainor Borough and Zoning Solicitor for Aston Township and Yeadon Borough.

He has served the Delaware County Bar Association as a Director and has served on the Municipal Solicitors Committee and District Justice Committee.

Cappelli currently sits Magisterial District Judge in Delaware County serving the townships of Concord, Bethel, Chadds Ford and Thornbury since 1992. He has been an active member of the Judiciary since his appointment in 1992.  In 1993 he was elected President of the Delaware County District Judges Association. Shortly thereafter he was elected president of District Eleven of the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania.  He was elected vice president of the State Association and served as president of the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania in 2003. 
           
Cappelli currently serves as District Director for District Eleven of the SCJAP  and serves as the Legislative Committee Member for his district.  He has served on the Ethics committee as chairman as well as co-chairman. He has served on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Sub-Committee STOP Violence Against Woman.   He has also served as the liaison to the Pennsylvania Bar Association for the past five years.
           
Cappelli co-authored and edited the Bench Book for Magisterial District Judges.  He has moderated numerous orientation and education programs for new judges and has lectured at a number of CLE programs on the practice before the District Courts.

He currently also serves on the Widener University of Law Alumni Board and is a member of the Delaware County Criminal Justice Advisory Committee and is a on the board of the Delaware County Justinian Society. He is also an honorary Lifetime Member in the Pennsylvania State Constables Association.

Most recently, Cappelli was presented with the Themis Award of the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania, for his work and accomplishments on behalf of that organization. Cappelli has also received the Outstanding Service Award from Widener University School of Law Alumni Association, in recognition of his dedication and service to the legal community. Cappelli was also named ‘Person of the Year’ by the Columbus Memorial Association.

Judge Cappelli is married to Cindy Cappelli and has two children, Andrew and Amy, both in college.