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1982
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE VILLAGE JUSTICE
VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS
As the comparative table of convictions and fines shows,
the vehicle and traffic work of the court parallelled that of
recent years. Total fines went up, however, reflecting new
minimum fines established by the Legislature for comes offenses.
Criminal matters not involving vehicles and traffic totalled
22, and there were it civil matters, mostly small claims.
The appendix to this report gives details.
In the second year of the Turning Point Program for defen-
dantsicharged with drunken driving, most defendants entered the
Program and those who did not or who were dropped from the
Program pleaded guilty'to drunken driving. I am waiting for
a countywide evaluation of the Program by the District Attorney,
who administers it. One thing is clear: for some it is
ineffective, witnessed by several further arrests for drunken
driving of defendants already in the Program.
The minimum fines for driving while intoxicated and driving
while ability impaired by alcohol are laudable, but a number
of defendants are unable to pay or pay sporadically in install-
ments, which places quite a burden on the Court Clerk.
Cooperation from the Village Police Department continues
to be excellent under the leadership of Chief Harlin R. McEwen.
Unlike the experience in some communities where many "bad arrests"
are made, which are not provable in court, the Department's
arrests are supported by evidence. Other police agencies,
the State Police, County Sheriff and the Cornell Public Safety
Division, are seen less often in court, but their attitude has
been very cooperative.
The County Probation Department has been very helpful.
The Department administers the Diversion Program for first
offenders charged with misdemeanors other than vehicle and traffic,
and the Department also supervises.sentences of probation. Be-
fore a defendant guilty of a misdemeanor is sentenced, the
Department makes a presentencing investigation and its reporti.is
I
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highly useful in arriving at a just disposition.
Ms..Andr.ea Barnett, Court Clerk, continues to handle a
heavy load of paper work mandated by the state, and she is
also a valuable contact person in communicating with persons
before the court whose point of view is not always clear to me.
About 133 hours were spent in court with additional time
devoted to correspondence and innumerable telephone calls.
Respectfully subb tted,
William Tucker Dean
Vilage Justice
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1982 VEHICLE.AND
TRAFFIC MATTERS
Comparative
Table
of Convictions and
Fines
collected in
1982 and the
preceding 5
years
in
the Village
of Cayuga Heights
OFFENSE,
1977
1978
1979-.1980
1981
1982
Speeding
471
521
470 297
242
279
Stop Sign
54
30
40 32
26
25
Driving while intoxicated
16
14
13 17
4
3
Driving with abilities
impaired by alcohol
17
8
11 6
11
12
Failure to keep right
13
6
15 13
9
10
No passing zone
6
13
12 11
7
15
Unlicensed operator
29
19
44 30
30
19
Driving with license
suspended or revoked
4
5
4 2
3
4
Unregistered vehicle
61
38
58 45
26
25
Uninspected vehicle
155
88
116 72
82
59
Equipment violations
96
74
160 65
47
35
Miscellaneous violations
19
36
16 23
16
24
TOTALS
946
859
960 613
503
510
The above total convictions
for 1982
does not include 89
dismissals
or verdicts of not guilty.
TOTAL FINES COLLECTED including parking
fines and civil
fees:
1977 1978 1979 '1980.
1981
1982
$193469 182891 195148 132482
119382
149583
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CRIMINAL.MATTERS
During the past year the Court handled 22 criminal
matters not involving the-Vehicle-and Traffic Law.
OFFENSE 1982
Unlawful. possession of marijuana (a violation) .........
4
Issuing a bad check .... ...............................
4
Fugitive of justice .... ...............................
1
Harassment .... .. .... ..........
.... ... ......... ..
1
Criminal possession of a controlled substance ........
1
In Sunset Park after dark .............................
2
Discharge of a fire arm ..............................
1
Disorderly conduct.. ....... . .... .....
3
Under the influence of narcotic in a public place...
1
Unlawful dealing with a child ..........................
1
Criminal trespass ...... ...............................
2
Resisting arrest ........ ...............................
1
TOTAL
22
CIVIL MATTERS
The court disposed of:.11 civil,-cases,'during:2982.