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Mostly Cloudy Seeking more law and order
Hewlett Neck considers creating a village court
The Village of Hewlett Neck is considering establishing a village court identical to the ones operated by the neighboring villages of Hewlett Bay Park and Woodsburgh, and the villages of Atlantic Beach, Cedarhurst and Lawrence.
Hewlett Neck Deputy Mayor Stephen Hochberg cited a need to increase enforcement of the municipality’s ordinances and the inconvenience and expense of prosecuting cases in Nassau Country District Court. Village courts typically have jurisdiction of local laws or resolutions, which are subject to civil penalties not exceeding $3,000 per event.
“Having a village court would be more efficient and beneficial, and it’s the right time to do it,” said Hochberg, who has lived in the village for 20 years and is in his sixth year as a trustee.
Hochberg said that startup costs are “not particularly expensive” and the state’s Justice Court Assistance Program that was established by the state Legislature to provide a way that towns and villages could obtain limited funding to improve operation of their justice courts would reimburse the cost for the needed software.
“The village has determined to create a village justice court,” said the village’s attorney Brian Stolar. “The board adopted a local law at its last meeting — July 31 — and the law is subject to permissive referendum.”
Eligible village voters can cast a ballot on the resolution. A date has yet to be set. Hochberg said a date could be determined at the next village meeting on Sept. 6.
Hewlett Harbor considered creating a village court three years ago, but the idea was shelved. “The establishment of a Hewlett Harbor Village Court is on the back burner for now,” said Mayor Mark Weiss. “Given the personnel, administrative and cost issues, involved in forming a village court, we decided that while undertaking a major road paving program and dealing with New York state and consultants as we pursue a major flood mitigation program, we could not in good conscious initiate a village court at this time.”
At the time the cost for setting up a village court that doesn’t exist was between $22,000 and $26,000, according to state figures. That cost appears to be a nonfactor Hewlett Neck as it already shares a Village Hall with Hewlett Bay Park and Woodsburgh, and the space for a village court already exists.
The village would first appoint then have an election for a village justice. A prosecutor would be hired, Hochberg said.
