HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnnual Report of the Village Justice 19831983
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE VILLAGE JUSTICE
VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS
There has been a modest decrease in vehicle and traffic
convictions over the past year. Hopefully, this means a great-
er effort by motorists to comply with the law.
Convictions for driving while intoxicated and driving
with ability impaired by alcohol have increased, however.
These convictions resulted in substantial fines, which brought
total fines up by over $4,000. The District Attorney's office
has yet to compile a county -wide report on the effectiveness of
the Turning Point Program, designed to provide intensive coun-
seling to drivers charged with drinking offenses. The Governor's
proposal to bring the drinking age back up to 21, where it had
been for many years, should reduce the flow of young men and
women before the court for drunken driving and save the lives
of more people.
The Legislature adopted last year, very suddenly and with no
advance notice to the courts, a requirement, for a $10 "mandatory
surcharge" to be paid by each defendant found guilty of a moving
traffic violation. In the Village Court this has increased cash
receipts by over $2,000, all of which goes to Albany.
Criminal proceedings not involving motor vehicles remained
low.
In spite of his responsibilities as President, New York State
Association of Chiefs of Police, Chief McEwen has continued to
provide strong and effective leadership for the Police Department.
A good relationship has continued with the Cornell University
Public Safety Division, the County Sheriff and the State Police,
who also issue tickets returnable in the Village Court.
The work of the Probation Department has been excellent, and
it is hoped that the Governor's program for state operation of
probation supervision of convicted felons will not weaken the
Tompkins County Probation Department under Mrs. Lois Humphrey's
able direction.
-z-
The Small Claims Part of the Village Court with a $1,500
maximum jurisdictional amount continued to produce perplexing
cases in which the feelings of the parties often greatly exceed
the amounts of money at stake.
The court could not function without the cheerful and
energetic assistance of Ms. Andrea Barnett, Court Clerk. She
has achieved a high professional level of operations.
Respectfully submitted,
William Tucker Dean
Village Justice
-3-
1983 VEHICLE
AND TRAFFIC
MATTERS
Comparative Table
of Convictions
and
Fines
collected in 1983 and
the
preceding
5
years
in
the Village
of Cayuga
Heights
OFFENSE .. 1978
1979
1980
1981 .1982
.1983
.
Speeding 521
470
297
242
279
274
Stop Sign 30
40
32
26
25
28
Driving while intoxicated 14
13
17
4
3
it
Driving with ability
impaired by alcohol 8
11
6
11
12
15
Failure to keep right 6
15
13
9
10
8
No passing zone 13
•12
11
7
15
12
Unlicensed operator 19
44
30
30
19
21
Driving with license
suspended or revoked 5
4
2
3
4
1
Unregistered vehicle 38
58
45
26
25
14
Uninspected vehicle 88
116
72
82
59
36
Equipment violations 74
160
65
47
35
23
Miscellaneous violations 36
16
23
16
24
17
TOTALS 859
960
613
503
510
450.
The above total convictions for 1983
does
not
include
92 dismissals
or verdicts of not guilty.
TOTAL FINES COLLECTED including parking
fines,
civil
fees
and mandatory
surcharge:
1978 1979 1980 1981
1982
1983
$18,891 192148 133482 11,382
143583
18,960
-4-
CRIMINAL MATTERS
During the past year the court handled 15 criminal
matters not involving the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
OFFENSE 1983
Issuing a bad check ..... ............................... 4
Petit larceny .......................................... .. ............................... 3
In Sunset Park after 10p.m . ........................... 2
Harassment ............................................. 1
Unlawful dealing with a child ........................... 1
Prohibited purchase of an
alcoholic beverage ..... ............................... 1
Assault, 3rd degree ..... ............................... 1
Open alcoholic beverage .. ..............................• 2
TOTAL
15
CIVIL MATTERS
The court disposed of .8 civil cases during 1983.