Model Resolution in Support of Town Justice Courts

 

As you may be aware, Town Justice Court operations have been the subject of increasing scrutiny in the past year.  Public hearings have been held by the New York State Senate, Assembly and most recently by the Special Commission on the Future of New York State Courts, seeking comments on the structure and organization of the Town and Village Justice Courts.  Among the comments raised throughout these hearings have been calls to eliminate Town and Village Justice Courts in favor of larger, regional District Courts and requiring that all Town Justices be attorneys. 

 

It has long been the Association of Towns’ position that Town Justice Courts provide an essential service to the community, and that non-lawyer justices are capable of presiding over these Courts.  The following model Resolution, developed by the New York State Magistrates Association, supports the preservation of Town and Village Justice Courts and continuing the long standing tradition of having non-lawyer Justices preside in the Justice Courts.  As of June 12 2007, approximately 55 towns, 16 villages, 2 counties have adopted a version of this resolution.  In addition, the resolution has been adopted by other organizations such as Local Supervisor Associations, local Magistrate Associations and at least one County Bar Association. 

 

            A copy of this resolution is available in MS Word format [click here].  

 

            We encourage all interested Towns and other organizations to download the resolution, edit it as needed, and forward a copy to your State Representatives, the Governor, and to the Association of Towns.