Gates and Ogden courts to receive grants

Two justice courts in Monroe County have been awarded funding grants under New York State's Justice Court Assistance Program. The justice court in the Town of Gates will receive $1,020 and the justice court in the Town of Ogden will receive $2,000. This funding will be used to purchase equipment needed to facilitate their operations.

"These grants will be a great help to the courts and the communities they serve," said Senator Maziarz, who made the announcement. "These courts are the 'closest to the people' and they are the building blocks of our criminal justice system."

NYS Chief Administrative Judge Lippman said, "The importance of the Justice Court Assistance Program cannot be overstated. Modern, well-equipped town and village court operations are essential if justice is to be administered fairly in our state's smaller communities, if crime victims are to be protected, if traffic laws are to be enforced, and if citizens are to continue to enjoy access to an inexpensive forum for the resolution of small claims matters. This program will ensure that the justice court, which dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries, continues as a viable and valuable institution into the 21st century."

Funded by the towns and villages they serve, New York's nearly 1,500 justice courts preside over non-felony criminal and motor vehicle prosecutions, small civil claims, and landlord-tenant disputes. They provide a significant source of local and state revenue, and their ability to process cases and information promptly is essential to maintaining a statewide comprehensive criminal history database, as well as the operation of programs that protect domestic violence victims and keep drunk drivers off the road.