Note: The following letter was sent July 15 to Judge Barbara Quinn, Chief Court Administrator of the state’s Judicial Branch. It is in reply to a plan to possibly consolidate local court services as a result of Connecticut’s budget problems. Click here for a previous story.
Dear Judge Quinn:
As the President of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Bar Association which encompasses the municipalities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton, I am writing to you concerning the Judicial District of Ansonia/Milford and G.A. 5 Courthouse located in Derby.
Our bar association opposes the proposal to reduce and transfer all GA 5 business from this courthouse to Milford.
This courthouse services the municipalities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Orange, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton for G.A. 5 for criminal, motor vehicle, housing and small claims matters and serves as the primary site for the trial of all civil jury cases within entire the Ansonia/Milford District.
The courthouse and judicial district are a service that benefits our local citizens and is one of the busiest in the State of Connecticut. In addition to the Judicial District Civil Trials to the Court and Jury, the courthouse is the venue for housing both residential and commercial. Together with Support Enforcement actions and Small Claims Matters the courthouse remains in constant use. The Derby Courthouse is used all week long for Criminal Arraignments for the municipalities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Orange, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton. Clearly these statistics show that the Derby Courthouse is one of the busiest in the State.
On the Official State of Connecticut Tourism Map the Derby-Ansonia-Shelton area is listed as one (1) of fourteen (14) Major Urban Areas in the State. The idea that a major urban area like the Lower Naugatuck Valley would have no GA Court for criminal, motor vehicle, small claims and support enforcement would be most unwise and a disservice to the citizens of this area. As a practical matter the courthouse in Milford does not have enough space to handle these proposed changes.
The Courthouse in Derby is not as large or elaborately decorated as other state courthouses. The Derby Courthouse is modestly furnished and decorated and quietly and simply fulfills the task of serving to citizens of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, the Judicial District of Ansonia/Milford and State of Connecticut.
Again, the Lower Naugatuck Valley Bar Association respectfully and vigorously opposes any action to close or otherwise diminish the use of the Derby Courthouse. This letter is joined in by the members of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Bar Association Courthouse Committee and Judicial District Committee as listed at the end of this letter.
Very truly yours,
JAMES E. SHEEHY
President
The writer is the president of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Bar Association.
