Southold task force releases recommendations to improve Town Justice Court

Southold Town’s Justice Court could make several improvements to reduce bias, discrimination and harassment, particularly toward non-English speakers, according to a report from an advisory committee.

The court handles cases involving criminal matters, vehicle and traffic violations, town code violations, civil suits and small claims, among others.

The Southold Justice Reform and Review Task Force finished examining policing in the town as part of the state’s June 2020 executive order requiring local governments to create police reform plans. In a second phase, the panel released a report on the court system that examined Southold’s system post-arrest, including its justice court. 

From March to June of this year, the town-appointed task force used workgroups, research, outreach to court officials, community surveys and other methods for its report. The findings were discussed Nov. 1 with the town board at its most recent work session.

The recommendations include:

Adopting a “zero tolerance” policy on bias, discrimination or harassment in the court;  , Requiring mandatory anti-bias training for all court officers; , Ensuring full and fair access to the court, including by installing multilanguage signs informing non-English speakers of their rights, and a digital kiosk providing multilanguage legal information in court; , Collecting data on local demographics in conjunction with sentences, fines, fees and plea deals, among other data, so the effects of the justice system on people of color and minority groups can be assessed, .

Councilwoman Jill Doherty told Newsday on Tuesday that the recommendations are “great” but that the town needs to look at more specifics regarding the recommendations. She said improvements will be made easier once the court can move into a new facility, which is expected to happen in 12 to 18 months.

“Just like anything else, we need to do a better job in displaying what the rules and regulations are and what they’re supposed to be…any way we can improve that is a good idea” Doherty said. “With an updated courtroom where there’s more room, we can have updated equipment and make it easier for all kinds of people [to use the court].”

Councilman Brian Mealy said he felt it was important to address the language barrier so non-English-speaking users can more easily use the court system.

“If there is a language barrier or miscommunications, it changes the whole outcome, and I want the best outcome for people who have to navigate the legal system,” Mealy said. “And that means the translation is [as] accurate as can be and that people have a right to their voice, no matter what language they speak.”