Community Dispute Resolution Committee
1715 Route 46 West
Committee:
Alex
Lazorisak - Chairman
Richard
Frantz
George C. Apostolakis
Neil Kasper
Diane H.
Dunne
The Panel is a group of volunteers that tries to find equitable resolution to the disputes it hears. Its purpose is to provide a free service to the litigants and to the community by endeavoring to mediate a mutually agreeable settlement before the case formally enters the criminal system. The Panel will conduct the hearings in accordance with the following rules, which have my full support.
1. The public and/or press are not permitted at any of the hearings. Only those individuals directly related to the case are allowed to be present, which provides the parties more privacy than the open Municipal Court.
2. The litigants are urged not to bring attorneys as the attorneys will not be allowed to participate in the proceedings.
3. The Complainant and the Defendant will each have the opportunity to be heard by the Panel.
4. Both the Complainant and the Defendant may use other witnesses in presenting their cases, but the number of witnesses must be reasonable and the time allowed for each witness will be limited by the Panel, if required.
5. The Panel Chairperson has the discretion to limit comments by the parties and/or witnesses if the discussion becomes redundant or too lengthy.
6. The Panel will present its recommendations to both parties together following the recess (if necessary) to discuss the issues.
7. Panel members are prohibited from discussing any matter regarding cases with the litigants outside of the official hearing.
8. Rescheduling or postponements of any case will not be permitted except in extraordinary circumstances. All postponements must be requested in person (or a representative) from the Panel on the evening that the Complainant/Defendant is scheduled to appear. The Panel has the discretion to reschedule the mediation or remand the case to the Court.
9. If the Complainant fails to appear before the Panel, the Panel will recommend that the complaint be dismissed.
10. If the Defendant fails to appear before the Panel, the complaint will be returned to the Municipal Court for further action.
11. The Panel has the right to remand the case back to the Municipal Court.
12. The litigants have the right to request a judicial hearing in the Municipal Court if the dispute cannot be resolved, but they must appear before the Panel and state their reasons for not attempting a mediated resolution.
It is the sincere hope of the
Municipal Court of the
The Municipal Court believes your cooperation in this matter to be in your best interest and we look forward to your cooperation.