Former Premier Silvio Berlusconi's tax fraud conviction and four-year prison sentence were upheld on the first appeal Wednesday in a case that could see him barred from public office for five years.

In Italy, defendants are legally considered innocent until all appeals are exhausted, and Berlusconi's lawyers are expected to appeal the case to the nation's highest Court of Cassation once the reasoning for the decision is published.

Still, the ruling, which comes just days before prosecutors wrap up closing arguments in his sensational sex-for-hire trial, raises the question of whether Berlusconi's days as a political force are numbered.

His center-right forces are allied with the Democratic Party in a grand coalition, and although Berlusconi holds no governmental posts he remains influential. It was his decision to head the center-right coalition, after initially saying he would move aside for younger leaders, that gave a boost to his forces in February's election campaign, finishing a close second to the center-left.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is declining a request by county governments that the justices force the General Assembly to provide more money for state courts and bring more uniformity to the court system.

The court ruled unanimously on Wednesday against the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania and 10 counties. The decision could end litigation over funding levels and uneven standards across the state that goes back a quarter century.

Chief Justice Ronald Castille's written opinion says there's been progress in recent years and the justices believe that "further enhancements" of the state courts should be a product of cooperation among the three branches of government.

An association spokesman says he's disappointed, while spokesmen for state House and Senate leaders didn't immediately respond to messages.

Youth court advocates from across the State today gathered at the headquarters of the New York State Bar Association in Albany for the first-ever statewide New York State Youth Court Conference. Hosted by The New York Bar Foundation, and co-sponsored by the Center for Court Innovation, the Association of New York State Youth Courts, and New York State Courts Access to Justice, the conference consisted of several workshops designed for participants to learn about ways to support, advance and strengthen New York's youth court system.

There are more than 80 youth courts operating throughout New York. Participating teens are trained to serve as jurors, judges and attorneys, and hear real-life cases of their peers involving offenses such as truancy, school fighting, vandalism, marijuana possession and shoplifting. Sanctions from the courts typically include community service, letters of apology, essays and counseling. The courts are overseen by volunteer judges, attorneys, educators, and law enforcement officials. The courts use positive peer pressure to ensure that young people who commit even minor offenses give back to the community and avoid further involvement in the justice system.