11-01-94 Council Rules Committee

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Council Rules Committee November 1, 1994 Page 3 He stated that the City must look at expediency and efficiently of effectively handling cases so that the overall system of justice does not bog down. He stated that the City must look at whether a City Court would compliment the current Court system in effect, whether it would provide a quicker and perhaps better forum, and whether there could be increased efficiency by having case loads shifted partially from the Traffic and Misdemeanor Division of the Superior Court System to the City Court. Council Member Ladewski questioned how the 30% amount of Court fees could be changed. The Council Attorney noted that this has been established by State Statute therefore a lobbying effort would have to take place of the State Representatives and State Senators. Council Member Washington voiced concern with regard to the Mayor's remarks about "Creating a new bureaucracy" in light of the "Bureaucracy of the Redevelopment Department". Council Member Washington stated that the City must carefully weigh the type of service that can be provided by a City Court system, the type of revenue that could be generated, whether it would provide better accountability and efficiency and the overall cost to implement such a system.He disagreed with the Mayor that the establishment itself would create a "panacea with regard to criminal justice in the City". He stressed that an efficient system of justice and fairness and how the judicial system is perceived at the local level is also a key consideration. Council Member Washington further noted that approximately 15,000 warrants are currently pending since only two County Officers are assigned to provide such service. He further noted that from his discussions with former City Court Judges namely Mr. Herendeen and Mr. Potts that the dedication of having a single Judge assigned to handle Ordinance violations, infractions, and misdemeanors is also an important item. Council Member Slavinskas requested that the Legal Department and the Council Attorney look into whether the Code Enforcement Hearing Officer would be needed if a City Court would be created. He also questioned whether the types of cases currently handled by that office could be handled perhaps more expeditiously and would have a greater impact if specific fines were implemented through a City Court as opposed to a Code Hearing Officer. Irene Gammon, the City Clerk questioned who would collect fines greater than $50.00 since the Ordinance Violation Bureau is curtailed from receiving anything above that amount.It was noted that state law allows the City Clerk who would become the Clerk to a City Court if one is created to collect up to$2,500.00. Council Member Coleman questioned the current procedure utilized by the Traffic and Misdemeanor Division. Council Member Washington noted that currently two Judges rotate every two weeks between the Criminal Division and Traffic and Misdemeanor Division during an 18 month period. Council President Puzzello suggested that perhaps a chart could be provided by the next meeting setting forth the current Court System.