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Excerpt from ESSEX VICINAGE BRIEF a
Newsletter of the Essex Vicinage Superior Court, June 2004, by Amy Chuck
EAST ORANGE
MUNICIPAL COURT – MOVING FORWARD TOWARD SUCCESS
The City of East Orange is
steeped in rich history and the municipal court shares a part of that.
In 1900 East Orange was the first Township in New Jersey to receive
grant funds from the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie to build a public
library. The building, which now houses the municipal court opened in
1903 and its distinctive form still stands strong today. In 1975 the
municipal court took up residence along with the Recreation Department
whose newly appointed manager was famous American tennis champion Althea
Gibson.
Over the years East
Orange Municipal Court has evolved into one of the most progressive
municipal courts in Essex. Back in the 1960’s, East Orange was the hub
of data processing for many municipalities in the area. Municipal Court
personnel operated the Electronic Data Processing (EDP) system to
process traffic tickets, employee payrolls, tax bills, purchase order
vouchers, student applications, report cards and attendance.
The court transitioned into the
statewide Automated Traffic System (ATS) in 1989 and the Automated
Complaint System (ACS) in 1994. The court has networked digital
recording capabilities into three very active courtrooms and
participated in the Parking Authority Ticketing Systems (PATS). PATS
allows Parking Authority Officers to issue tickets electronically via a
wireless, handheld system. Newer models of the PATS handheld are the
size of PDA. The officers even carry small printers. Information from
PATS is transmitted through wireless technology to ATS/ACS, eliminating
initial data entry by court employees.
East Orange is one
of the highest volume courts in Essex. Municipal Court Director Carol
Hart stated, “I see the court continuing to move forward, achieving its
goals and setting a higher standard for providing justice in Essex.”
Ms.
Hart was appointed as the new Director in 2002 and has already taken a
number of actions that significantly reduced the court’s backlog
statistics. Chief Judge Ernest R. Booker…, who has served in East
Orange for 15 years stated, “I have witnessed the evolution of
technological advances at the court. Our court has participated in
various pilot programs under the auspices of the AOC, which has
contributed to our overall efficiency. I am confident with the
composition of our present staff and Judges and with the support of the
City’s Administration our court will continue to excel.” Judges Sybil
Elias, Karimu Hill-Harvey and John Watson complete the team and readily
support the court’s aspirations.
Through teamwork, adaptability
to change and progressive thinking the East Orange Municipal Court is
moving forward toward success!
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