State Supreme Court Justice Aletha V. Fields' hit-and-run charge to be formally dismissed in six months, attorney says

A charge against a Suffolk County judge accused of leaving the scene of an accident after she allegedly struck a car in an Islandia Dunkin’ drive-thru and then drove away will be dismissed, her attorney said.

Records against acting State Supreme Court Justice Aletha V. Fields, 61, of Central Islip, were sealed after prosecutors agreed to an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal requested by the defense earlier this month.

Charges will be formally dismissed after six months, defense attorney David Besso said.

"It’s really a routine decision," Besso said of the disposition. "She was charged with a violation. She made restitution."

Besso said Fields’ insurance company processed a claim for the owner of the other vehicle involved in the incident.

Court Records previously showed Fields was to appear Aug. 6 before Nassau District Court Judge David Wright at First District Court in Central Islip. Officials with the court denied a records request by Newsday, saying the matter was sealed.

Police and court records obtained by Newsday before the disposition show Fields was driving a 2022 Mercedes-Benz in the drive-thru lane shortly before 8 a.m. April 10 when she hit a 2015 BMW driven by a 19-year-old from Dix Hills, according to a criminal complaint filed in Suffolk District Court in Central Islip.

The collision caused "dents and scratches to the rear bumper of said vehicle," according to the complaint. No physical injuries were reported.

Fields allegedly fled the scene without exchanging information with the victim or notifying police, according to the complaint.

Fields was arrested May 16 and charged with leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, a violation, punishable by up to 15 days in jail and a $250 fine.

Besso said the disposition in his client’s case was standard for such a charge.

"Any other person charged in that situation would have gotten the same relief," Besso said.

A spokesperson for Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney declined to comment on the case, citing that the record was sealed.

Prosecutors might file an application to restore the case if a defendant is alleged to have engaged in additional misconduct or been arrested in another matter before the formal dismissal, but Besso said such instances are rare.

"In my experience, very few ACODs are restored," Besso said.

Fields was one of 19 judges appointed to the state Court of Claims by Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2023. The Court of Claims exclusively handles civil litigation seeking damages against the state and entities such as the Thruway Authority.

After her appointment, Fields was assigned as a state Supreme Court judge in Riverhead, where Besso said she continues to handle cases.

Newsday has reported appointing a judge to the Court of Claims and then reassigning them allows an acting Supreme Court judge to preside over criminal and civil matters without being elected, skirting a constitutional requirement.

Fields previously served as Support Magistrate for Suffolk County Family Court — which handles matters like child support and paternity — since 1997, according to a statement from the governor’s office announcing her appointment. She is the co-founder and former treasurer of the Suffolk County Hispanic Bar Association.

With Vera Chinese

By Grant Parpan

grant.parpan@newsday.com@GrantParpan

Grant Parpan covers Suffolk County courts and federal courts for Newsday. A Long Island native, he joined Newsday in 2022.