A shareholder and managing partner with Scartelli Olszewski, Peter Paul Olszewski, Jr. brings a unique blend of more than 25 years of litigation experience to the firm. Currently focusing his practice on criminal defense, medical malpractice and personal injury matters, Peter has previously served as District Attorney of Luzerne County and a Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge. During his tenure as district attorney, Peter tried 18 jury trials to verdict, including seven first-degree murder verdicts. As a common pleas judge, he tried more than 180 criminal jury trials, including five capital homicide trials, and was named Criminal Court Administrator. Prior to presiding over both criminal and civil jury trials, Peter served in the court’s family division and handled equity and civil non-jury trials. Now a private practitioner, he is Capital Case Certified.

Before being elected district attorney in 1992 and, later, a common pleas judge in 2000, Peter was engaged in private practice, handling criminal, civil and family law trials throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. He served as solicitor to the Pennsylvania Conference of State Police Lodges and assistant solicitor to the Pennsylvania State Police, Fraternal Order of Police, Frank Albert Memorial Lodge no. 43. Prior to being elected Judge, Peter was certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Criminal Trial Specialist in recognition of excellence in the trial of complex criminal cases.

A native of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Peter is a strong believer in giving back to the legal and larger communities. He currently serves as co-chairman of the Wilkes-Barre Law & Library Association Criminal Law Committee and sits on the board of the Anthracite Golf Association, which promotes the game of golf for young people and adults in Northeastern Pennsylvania. He is an Eagle Scout and a past President of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He is a founding member of the District Attorney’s Committee on Youth and Violence and the Luzerne County Heroin Task Force. Among numerous additional professional and community affiliations, Peter is a member and past Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Wilkes-Barre Lodge 109, a member of and scripture reader at St. Frances Cabrini Church, Carverton, and a former Alumni Trustee of The Dickinson School of Law.

Peter is admitted to practice before all of Pennsylvania’s state courts, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a 1984 graduate of The Dickinson School of Law. A resident of Dallas, Pa., Peter enjoys golfing, archery hunting and spending time with his daughter, Rachel. He enjoys working along side his wife, attorney Melissa Scartelli, who is the founder and President of Scartelli Olszewski.

Experience

• Scartelli Olszewski, P.C., Shareholder & Managing Partner, 2010-Present
• Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County, Judge, 2000-2009
• Luzerne County, District Attorney, 1992-1999
• Pennsylvania Conference of State Police Lodges, Solicitor, 1990-1991
• Pennsylvania State Police, Fraternal Order of Police, Frank Albert Memorial Lodge 43, Assistant Solicitor, 1985-1991
• Luzerne County, Assistant District Attorney, 1986-1987
• Private Practice, 1984-1991

Court Admissions

• Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
• United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
• United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
• United States Supreme Court

Professional & Community Affiliations

• Anthracite Golf Association, Board Member, 2006-Present
• Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Wilkes-Barre Lodge 109, Exalted Ruler, 1990-1991
• Boy Scouts of America Northeastern Pennsylvania Council, Executive Board Member, Vice President, 1999-2001; President, 2001-2002; Board Membership, 2003-2006
• League of Women Voters
• Luzerne County Bar Association
• Luzerne County District Attorney’s Committee on Youth and Violence
• Luzerne County Heroin Task Force
• Luzerne County Highway Safety Advisory Board
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum 
• National Rifle Association
• Pennsylvania State Police Troop “P” Camp Cadet, Board Member, 2001-2008
• Professional Ski Instructors of America-Eastern Division, 1981-Present
• Victims Resource Center, 1989-1991
• Wilkes-Barre Law & Library Association, Criminal Law Committee Co-Chair, 2010-Present
• Wilkes-Barre YMCA, Board Member
• Young Man’s Polish Association of Hazelton

Honors & Awards

• Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  2011
• Pennsylvania State Police's Special Commendation
  2000
• Wilkes-Barre City Police William T. Mulligan/Edward J. Schrode Memorial Award
  1999
• Pennsylvania Homicide Investigators Association's Special Recognition for Outstanding Work
  1998
• Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award
  1995
• NAACP Wilkes-Barre Branch Community Service Award
  1993
• The Dickinson School of Law Outstanding Alumni Award
  1992
• Pennsylvania State Police, Fraternal Order of Police, Frank Albert Memorial Lodge 43 Honorary Lifetime Member
  1990
• Young Man's Polish Association Lifetime Goldcard Membership
• Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout
  1972
• Victims Resource Center Lifetime Membership
  1972

Presentations & Publications

• Peter Paul Olszewski on WNEP-TV Addressing Jerry Sandusky Penn State Sex Abuse Case Developments
  May 8, 2012
• Scranton, PA Criminal Defense Law Firm Television Commercial from Scartelli Olszewski, P.C.
  February 8, 2012
• Scranton, PA General Litigation Law Firm Television Commercial from Scartelli Olszewski, P.C.
  February 8, 2012
• Scranton, PA Auto Accident Law Firm Television Commercial from Scartelli Olszewski, P.C.
  February 7, 2012
• Scranton, PA Medical Malpractice Law Firm Television Commercial from Scartelli Olszewski, P.C.
  February 7, 2012
• The Times Leader - Judge leaves case; bars testimony
  January 10, 2012
• Peter Paul Olszewski Speaks to WBRE-TV about the Penn State Sexual Abuse Scandal
  November 16, 2011
• Scranton Criminal Defense Attorney Peter Paul Olszewski Speaks to WBRE-TV about the Penn State Sexual Abuse Scandal
  November 16, 2011
• Peter Paul Olszewski Quoted by Wilkes Barre Times Leader Re D.A. Salvantis Win in Luzerne County
  November 11, 2011
• The Citizens' Voice - Teen's attorneys want seized items suppressed
  November 3, 2011
• The Times Leader - Lawyers for teen in slaying case want mental report, seized evidence tossed
  November 3, 2011
• Scartelli Olszewski Law Firm Secures $750,000 Settlement for Client in Wrongful Death Case
  October 20, 2011
• Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, PA Regional Personal Injury and Criminal Defense Firm Has Changed its Name to Scartelli Olszewski
  September 23, 2011
• Scranton Criminal Defense Attorney Peter Paul Olszewski Discusses an Individuals Rights Relating to DUIs in Pennsylvania
  September 22, 2011
• The Times Leader - Court denies appeal of ruling regarding statements in alleged homicide
  September 14, 2011
• Scranton Attorney Peter Paul Olszewski, Jr. Certified as Member of Prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  June 22, 2011
• Scranton Attorneys Melissa Scartelli and Peter Paul Olszewski, Jr. Secure $550,000 Medical Malpractice Verdict on Behalf of 79-Year-Old Scranton Woman
  April 6, 2011
• The Times Leader - Teen’s Words After Slaying Inadmissible, Court Agrees
  December 23, 2010
• The Times Leader - $555,000 Lawsuit Filed Over Medical Treatment
  August 28, 2010
• WNEP-TV - Peter Paul Olszewski Interviewed About Pennsylvania Death Penalty Case
  August 19, 2010
• Scranton Criminal Defense Attorney Peter Paul Olszewski Interviewed by WNEP-TV about Pennsylvania Death Penalty Case
  August 10, 2010
• New Managing Partner Peter Paul Olszewski, Jr. Brings Unmatched Criminal Defense Experience to Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Law Firm Scartelli Olszewski, P.C.
  July 28, 2010
• The Times Leader - Dickinson Alumni Hold Dinner Program
  June 6, 2010
• The Times Leader - Judge: Teen's Statement Can't be Used in Homicide Case
  April 9, 2010
• The Times Leader - Ruling on Lee Statements Today
  April 8, 2010
• The Times Leader - Teen's Lawyers Want Trial in Juvie Court
  March 2, 2010
• The Times Leader - Attorneys Want Grandson's Comments Removed
  February 20, 2010
• The Citizen's Voice - Teen Shooting Suspect: Cold Clouded Judgment During Police Interview
  February 19, 2010
• The Times Leader - Defense: Suppress Teen’s Words After Shooting
  January 23, 2010
• The Times Leader - Reversal of Roles for Olszewski
  January 23, 2010
• The Times Leader - Looking to a New Day in Court: Olszewski Leaving Bench, but Not Law
  December 29, 2009