Source: http://www.duaneny.com/duane-justice-court.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 08:22:24+00:00

Document:
Welcome to the Franklin County Traffic Diversion Program established by Derek P. Champagne, former Franklin County District Attorney. This program is designed to assist first time traffic ticket offenders who are seeking a disposition of their current Vehicle and Traffic Tickets.
The Franklin County Traffic Diversion Program is part of an on-going effort to provide an efficient and judicious service to the residents of Franklin County and other non-resident drivers traveling the Franklin County region.
Promote Driver Financial Responsibility. Every participant in the Traffic Diversion program shall be required to have a valid automobile insurance policy in effect in order to be eligible to participate. This request will reduce the number of uninsured drivers on Franklin County roads.
Efficiently Resolve Cases. The Traffic Diversion Program is designed to free up valuable prosecution resources, allowing the District Attorney's Office to focus on more complex criminal cases. In addition, because the applicant pays the cost of the program, the District Attorney's Office is able to offer this program at no additional cost to the taxpayers of Franklin County.
The Franklin County Traffic Diversion Program is a valuable tool in Franklin County District Attorney Derek P. Champagne's ongoing effort to service Franklin County with initiatives designed to protect the public, promote lawful conduct, and reduce inefficiency in the criminal justice system without decreasing services to Franklin County residents.
You are able to pay a non-refundable fee of one hundred and fifty dollars ($150.00) effective April 1, 2011.
"Eligible Offense" means any New York State Vehicle and Traffic violation, but specifically excludes, any V&T §1192 Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drug Charge; V&T §1212 Reckless Driving; V&T §511 Aggravated Unlicensed Operation; any sections of the Transportation Law; V&T §1174 Passing a Stopped School Bus; Accidents that resulted in physical, serious physical injury or death; V&T §600-1a leaving the scene of an Accident or V&T §600-2a Leaving the scene of a personal injury accident; or any offense committed in a school or construction zone.
If approved for the Traffic Diversion Program, the applicant will be required to complete the course for "Point and Insurance Reduction Program" given by an agency approved by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (see link below for providing agencies). Once the applicant completes the Defensive Driving Course, the offender is required to submit proof of completion to the District Attorney's Office. Upon completion of the Traffic Diversion Program, the District Attorney's Office will move to dismiss the pending traffic ticket(s).
The material on this page is only for information about the Town of Duane Court and is not intended to provide legal advice. The Town of Duane makes no claims about the correctness or completeness of this information.
A couple who intends to be married in New York State must apply in person for a marriage license to any town or city clerk in the state. The application for a license must be signed by both the bride and groom in the presence of the town or city clerk. A representative cannot apply for the license on behalf of the parties getting married. This applies even if the representative has been given the Power of Attorney. Notarized marriage license affidavits signed by the individuals getting married cannot be substituted for their personal appearance.
Yes. Although the marriage license is issued immediately, the marriage ceremony may not take place within 24 hours from the exact time that the license was issued. When both applicants are 16 years of age or older, the 24-hour waiting period may be waived by an order of a justice of the Supreme Court or a judge of the County Court of the county in which either the bride or groom resides. If either person is under 16 years of age, the order must be from the Family Court judge of the county in which the person under 16 years of age resides.
If the marriage license is issued by a town or city clerk in New York State outside of New York City, it costs $40. This fee includes the issuance of a Certificate of Marriage Registration. This certificate is automatically sent by the issuing clerk to the applicants within 15 days after the completed license is returned by the officiant (person who performs the marriage ceremony). It serves as notice that a record of the marriage is on file. Couples who do not receive a Certificate of Marriage Registration within four weeks of the wedding should contact the town or city clerk who issued the license.
If the license is to be issued by the City Clerk of the City of New York, please contact the New York City Clerk's Office for current fees and requirements. The City Clerk's Office can be reached at (212) 669-2400 or via their web site at New York City Marriage Bureau.
What are the age and consent requirements for minors?
below or calling 1(800) 701-8560. A convenience fee will apply.
It is now a 2 point violation for a conviction of cell phone use in a motor vehicle without a hands free device.
The Duane Town Court is located at Duane Fire Station on County Route 26. The town of Duane is situated in the center of Franklin County. Adjoining towns are Malone, Bellmont, Santa Clara, Franklin and Brighton.
The New York State Division of Local Government Publications page has a link to the State of New York Local Government Handbook which describes Small Claims Court in the chapter on the Judicial System and the New York State Unified Court System webpage includes a link to a Small Claims Court Question and Answer page on the Small Claims Court process. The New York State Magistrates Association provides a Small Claims Quick Check list that summarizes the Small Claims Court process.
The Duane Town Court hears criminal cases originating within the Town and has full jurisdiction for non-felony cases (misdemeanors and violations) to accept guilty pleas or hold trials. On felony charges, the court conducts the arraignment and preliminary inquiry and may set bail or hold without bail. If the charges are not reduced to misdemeanors, the Town Court transfers them to Franklin County Court for final disposition. The Town Court may not accept pleas in felony cases. The Town Court must set bail or order release in all non-felony cases.
Defendants have the right to legal counsel for all criminal cases, including felony, misdemeanor and violation cases. They also have the right to counsel for traffic misdemeanors (DWI). The Franklin County Public Defender's Office provides legal services to criminal defendants who have been determined to be indigent.
Attention: The material on this page is only for information about the Town of Duane Court and is not intended to provide legal advice. The Town of Duane makes no claim as to the accuracy of this information.
Whether or not you need an attorney to handle your traffic infraction is a personal decision that only you can make. If your license is in jeopardy based on the point system or if a traffic charge resulted from an accident, you are well advised to consult an attorney.
Attention: The material on this page is only for information about the Town of Duane Court and is not intended to provide legal advice. The Town of Duane makes no claims about the correctness or completeness of this information.
The Duane Town Court accepts cash, money orders, certified bank checks, and Visa or Mastercard. No personal checks are accepted for payment. A credit card processing fee of 2.99% will be charged for credit payments when fine is paid by filling out the credit card information on fine notice and mailing or faxing directly to the court.
​(NYS Route 30), proceed one mile east on Franklin County Route 26. The court is held at the Duane Fire Station.
Court is officially held the last Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM, Judge Lalonde is at the court every Thursday (except holidays) at 6:00 PM and requests that you be on time as he will not wait for people to appear who arrive late.
The Court hears small claims cases up to $3000 when the Defendant resides in, is employed in, or has a place of business within the Town. Individuals and sole proprietors of businesses may bring a suit against an individual, corporation, partnership, association or assignee in Small Claims Court by filing a claim with the Court. There is a filing fee of $10 for claims up to $1000 and $15 for claims up to $3000. You may not file a claim in Small Claims Court for over $3000.
Upon receipt of your not guilty plea the court will schedule a trial and mail you a notice of the trial date. You have the option of contacting the District Attorney for a possible resolution to your case through the traffic reduction / diversion program. If the matter is not resolved to your satisfaction you may proceed to trial on the scheduled date. A trial is the proceeding at which a judge will make a determination whether you are guilty or not guilty. At the trial the officer who issued the ticket will testify and you will have the opportunity to cross-examine him/her. Thereafter you and your witnesses, if any, will have the opportunity to testify. The Assistant District Attorney can cross-examine your witnesses and you. When the testimony is completed the judge will make a decision and will usually announce it in court at the trial. If you are found not guilty, the matter is completed. If you are found guilty, the judge will determine the fine and arrangements for payment will be made.
You can plead guilty by mail by following the instructions on the ticket and sending the completed form to Duane Town Court, 172 County Route 26 Duane, Malone, NY 12953. Upon receipt of your guilty plea a judge will determine the fine and the court will notify you of the amount by mail.
You have the option of requesting a supporting deposition which is a sworn statement from the ticketing officer that contains a more detailed explanation of the basis for the charge than is provided on the ticket. The supporting deposition is usually generated by the Officer at the time of the stop now that most tickets are being written electronically. If you mail a not guilty plea you do not need to appear in court on the date stated on the ticket.
The Court also hears Summary Proceedings/Evictions when the property and the Respondent are located within the Town. These proceedings include non payment of rent or holdover evictions. Plaintiffs may claim the full amount in dispute as there is no arbitrary limit on the amount of the claim for which the Court has civil jurisdiction in such cases.

References: §1192
 §1212
 §511
 §1174
 §600
 §600