Expanded jurisdiction allows any single Assistant Judge to preside over and issue decisions in small claims cases, arraignments, civil ordinance violations, traffic cases, and uncontested divorces. Expanded jurisdiction of Assistant Judges in small claims cases is permanent by legislation in the counties of Essex, Caledonia and Rutland. 1 Legislation expanding this small claims jurisdiction statewide is scheduled to sunset July 1, 2001. 2 Expanded jurisdiction over arraignments, civil ordinances, traffic cases, and family court is permanent in Essex. In Essex and Orleans permanent expanded jurisdiction exists over parentage cases.
Jurisdiction is also permanent statewide in uncontested divorces.
I believe we must work together to oppose the expanded jurisdiction of Assistant Judges . To do this, we must introduce legislation to repeal 12 V.S.A. 5540 and lobby the Legislature to allow 12 V.S.A. 5540a to sunset. We must also sort out the statutory scheme and take action to repeal expanded jurisdiction set forth in Title 4. The Report is not a position statement regarding expanded jurisdiction. A silent majority of attorneys, court staff and judicial representatives throughout this state who choose not to jeopardize their courtroom relationships join me in this position.