Town of Clarkson receives Justice Court
Assistance Program grant awards

The justice court in the Town of Clarkson will be receiving $1,100 to purchase equipment needed to facilitate their operations.

State Senator George D. Maziarz (R-C, North Tonawanda) has been advised by New York State's Chief Administrative Judge, Jonathan Lippman, that a justice court in Monroe County has been awarded a funding grant under the New York State Justice Court Assistance Program.

"These grants will help to promote justice," Senator Maziarz said. "For that reason, it is my great pleasure to announce the Niagara and Somerset awards with Judge Lippman. These courts are 'closest to the people,' and the people deserve to know they are being treated fairly."

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 operations of programs that protect domestic violence victims and keep drunk drivers off the road.

Despite their critical function, these courts often have few resources - reflecting the budgetary limitations of the towns and villages that support them. Recognizing this, the State Legislature in 1999 established the Justice Courts Assistance Program to provide supplementary state assistance in the form of small monetary grants to the town and village justice courts. These grants, to be awarded by the Chief Administrative Judge of the State Court System, will make it possible for justice courts to acquire computers and other essential electronic equipment, maintain a dignified appearance, and enhance the training and legal materials available to judges and clerks.

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