Your village court is a model which other towns and village courts throughout the state have sought to emulate. We have effectively balanced tough code enforcement while protecting the civil rights of our residents. The Village Prosecutor Dwight Kraemer and our building department have continued a proactive policy of strict code enforcement. The court has endeavored to be fair and impartial on several fronts including the signing of search warrants; reviewing the execution of them during pre-trial hearings and in the manner in which we conduct trials. Fines for convicted violators generally amount to between $1,000 and $10,000 per violation. My judicial philosophy and that of my Associate Justice Elizabeth Pessala, are consistent with the mayor's and village board's, namely, to preserve and protect the residential character of the community.

Since first becoming your village justice in 1991 I have sought to gather the attention of public officials concerning the affordable housing shortages which new immigrants face and how our immigration policies have been a dismal failure. For example, "Judge Liotti Speaks Out on Housing Issue." (Westbury Times, March 26, 1996) The problems of illegal housing cannot be resolved by your village court or village board alone, although we are making valiant attempts to do so. Here is how we have become a model court. I am most proud of the fact that since I decided People vs. Venture (State Reporter Ref. No. QXK000666 edited for publication, New York Law Journal, May 25, 2004 at 1, 17, 19 and 20) many public officials have finally focused on our housing problems.

In addition, I have co-authored the bible textbook in the field entitled A Practice Guide: Village, Town and District Courts of New York (WestLaw Publishing/Thompson, 1995-Present). The book is used by all judges and practitioners throughout the state. I directed the translation of one of my housing decisions from English to Spanish, Italian and French. I then had it widely distributed throughout the immigrant community so that our new neighbors would understand our laws and appreciate why they are strictly enforced. I have published over 30 decisions in the New York Law Journal and/or in the Official State Reporter. They are all available to you online. If you are interested in the decisions or copies of them, you may contact me or the court.

In order to speed up the process of justice I have prepared a special pamphlet which is given out to all of those desirous of proceeding to trial. It explains our procedures and allows those not represented by counsel to try their own cases with efficiency and fairness. And I have authorized, if necessary, the filing of pre-trial motions by hand. This cuts down on paperwork for the defense and prosecution but also allows for expedited hearings and trials.

We are very proud of our court and welcome you to observe any court session. Also, if your civic association would like to have more information about the court, I would be pleased to address it and respond to questions from your membership. If interested, you may contact my law office administrative assistant Maria Albano at 794-4700, ext. 15.

Thomas F. Liotti

Westbury Village Justice