Suffolk County
Photo: Suffolk County Welcomes Faith Leaders
Acting Justice Richard I. Horowitz, Suffolk County Supreme Court; Justice Sherry Klein Heitler, Chief of Policy and Planning; Justice C. Randall Hinrichs, Administrative Judge, 10th Judicial District, Suffolk; Mary Porter, Court Attorney Referee in the Administrative Judge’s Office; Mary Kornman, OCA Director of Public Affairs; Warren G. Clark, District Executive, 10th Judicial District, Suffolk.
Suffolk County Administrative Judge C. Randall Hinrichs welcomed a diverse group of faith leaders and community members to Faith Leaders Day on June 4, 2019. The presentations included a welcome from Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Edwina Mendelson, who spoke access to justice initiatives in Suffolk County; a discussion of problem solving courts with Justice Sherry Klein Heitler; information about court resources, legal services, and mental health services; a discussion of the work of Family Court; and information on Article 81 guardianships by Judge Richard Horowitz.
6th Judicial District
Photo: Judge William Pellela of Binghamton City Court explains his work in the Drug Court.
The Sixth Judicial District hosted Clergy Day in Binghamton on Thursday December 6, 2018. Participants received information on the workings of various courts -- including Drug Court and City, Family, Surrogates, Supreme, and County Courts – as well as the resources available to litigants.
Photo: Judge Sherry Klein Heitler, Chief of the Office of Policy and Planning, speaks to members of the clergy about New York’s problem solving courts.
Photo: On October 23rd, Judge James Murphy addresses the Fifth JD Clergy Day in Syracuse, hosted by Administrative Judge James Tormey.
The Fourth, Fifth and Seventh Judicial Districts have recently held Clergy Days, continuing the series of Clergy Days that have been held in New York City and the Third Judicial District beginning earlier this year. Clergy Days are an opportunity for Judges and court system staff to open a dialogue with members of the clergy, who are often the first people to whom their congregants turn when they are facing a legal problem. By providing information about the courts and the resources available to the public, the court system seeks to equip the clergy with useful, accurate information as they assist the public. Presenters covered common topics including landlord and tenant cases, criminal cases including drug and opioid courts, and the work of Surrogate’s, Family, County and Supreme Courts. In addition to Administrative Judges Vito Caruso, James Tormey and Craig Doran of the Fourth, Fifth and Seventh Judicial Districts, respectively, presenters at Clergy Days included Judge Edwina Mendelson, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives, and Judge Sherry Klein Heitler, Chief of Policy and Planning. In each district, local judges and representatives of the bar and advocates enthusiastically took part in offering information on local programs and resources, including contact information for the clergy and the public. Clergy Days will continue around the state, with Chief Judge Janet DiFiore supporting this opportunity to serve the justice needs of communities of New York. Clergy Days are organized through the Office of Public Affairs and the Office of Justice Initiatives.
Photo: Administrative Judge Vito Caruso of the 4th JD who hosted its Clergy Day in Rotterdam on October 25th.
Photo: The 7th JD’s Clergy Day was held in Rochester on November 1st, hosted by Administrative Judge Craig Doran.
Photo: Dr. Sharif of Rochester’s Interfaith Council
Photo: Clergy Day Speakers included Judge Edwina Mendelson, Deputy Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives.
Photo: Judge Sherry Klein Heitler, Chief of Policy and Planning.
Capital District
Photo: Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger of the Catholic Diocese of Albany and Imam Dr. M.S. Ali from Masjid-as-Salam were two of the clergy participants in Capital District Clergy Day.
Castleton-on-Hudson, NY
Third Judicial District Administrative Judge Thomas Breslin was joined by Presiding Justice Elizabeth Garry of the Appellate Division Third Department and Judge Sherry Klein Heitler, Chief of the Office of Policy and Planning, in welcoming 35 members of the clergy to Capital District Clergy Day on May 15, 2018. The participants, who represented a broad range of religious denominations, heard presentations on the issues and cases that their congregants might encounter and the types of assistance available from the court system. These included information on drug courts; language interpretation services; pro bono representation in landlord/tenant matters; assistance in foreclosures; support for domestic violence victims; and other resources. The presentations also included information on career opportunities in the UCS.
Photo: Administrative Judge Thomas A. Breslin welcomes Clergy Day participants.
Photo: Administrative Judge Thomas A. Breslin and Presiding Justice Elizabeth A. Garry of the Appellate Division, Third Department discuss court initiatives with Clergy Day participants.
Photo: Judge Sherry Klein Heitler, Chief of Policy and Planning, addresses Clergy Day participants on New York’s problem solving courts.