Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli (D-Syracuse) announced passage of a bill he authored prohibiting a town or village justice from continuing in office or seeking election if he or she is convicted of a felony (A.5825). The bill has already passed the Senate and will now go to the governor for his signature.

“Town and village justices are on the front lines of the criminal justice system,” Magnarelli said. “Not only do they hand out fines in traffic cases, they conduct trials in misdemeanor cases and set bail in major felony cases. The public should be certain that those serving as local judges are of strong moral character.”

The current law does not allow other justices to be re-elected or to continue holding office after having been convicted of a felony. Town and village justices, however, are still permitted to remain in office or run for re-election after a felony conviction.

“We must hold those who serve the public in a position of great power to a higher standard,” Magnarelli said. “The public will have greater faith in the criminal justice system if people convicted of felonies are not allowed to play such an important role in the administration of justice.”