Town Justice Responsibilities:
Your Town Justices plays a vital role in the New York State Unified Court System. Judge Buttenschon and Judge Kozyra have broad jurisdiction and they hear both criminal and civil matters.
Criminal:The Town Justices handle matters involving the prosecution of misdemeanors and violations that are committed within the Town of Marcy’s geographic boundaries.
The Town Justices conduct arraignments and preliminary hearings in felony matters. In addition, the Justices hear Vehicle and Traffic Law misdemeanors and traffic infractions.
Civil:
The Town Justices can hear actions seeking monetary awards up to $3,000 and small claims proceedings for awards up to $3,000. The judges also handle landlord/tenant matters that may result in an eviction as well as a money judgment for back rent that is due.
The Town Justices are authorized to hear small claims cases. Small claims proceedings are intended to provide a low-cost, simplified and informal procedure for individuals to resolve disputes involving limited monetary claims. Often individual litigants do not use an attorney in these matters and are not required to do so.
Other:
Judge Buttenschon and Judge Kozyra are required to be on-call 24 hours a day and are called upon often to arraign misdemeanor and felony charges as well as to act as Family Court Judges when Family Court is not in session. In cases involving domestic violence, the Judges are also authorized to issue orders of protection
