Imperato named Magistrate of the Year

PINE PLAINS — It’s taken 14 years to be recognized as one of the best, said Pine Plains Town Justice Louis Imperato, but it’s been worthwhile. That’s because knowing his colleagues from the Dutchess County Magistrates Association believe he is worthy of the title of 2012 Magistrate of the Year is priceless, according to the local mainstay.“I really appreciate it,” the judge said. “I was really surprised because every year they put somebody in, and this year was mine. I don’t know why they chose me, but the did.”Those who know Imperato might have some idea. Certainly the rousing round of applause he received at the May Town Board meeting when his award was announced gave the 14-year veteran of the bench some indication of the type of respect he’s earned during his tenure. Town Supervisor Brian Coons congratulated Imperato, as did the rest of the Town Board, and thanked him for his service.So did Jonah Tribbwasser, president of the Dutchess County Magistrates Association.“This recognition is based upon your long and distinguished career in public service, as well as the high regard that the public, the Bar, law enforcement and your fellow judges have for you,” he said. “I am delighted ... that your colleagues have designated you as our 2012 Magistrate of the Year.”Imperato, now retired from a career that included two full-time jobs, previously worked for 37 years as a deputy sheriff with the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office as well as the director and manager of the respiratory therapy and pulmonary function departments at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie. In 1998 he took to the bench in the Pine Plains town court. “I enjoy it,” he said. “It’s been very busy lately, with a lot of domestic disputes and larceny. Everybody is home now because there are no jobs.”As to why he likes presiding over such difficult cases, Imperato said it’s simple.“I like dealing with people,” he said. “I always try to help if I can, though there are certain guidelines that I can’t bend.“Years ago,” he added, reminiscing about dealing with local children in local trouble, “you could kick a kid in the pants, but now you can’t.”As far as what surprises him the most, the judge said it’s when he gets to witness the seedier side of life.“The sex cases,” he said. “But then there are the family disputes. Those are tough.”The hardest part of the job, according to this seasoned town justice, is dealing with family issues.“Domestic [disputes], and of course, sentencing is hard. I don’t like to send a teenager to jail, but sometimes I’m forced to,” he said. “Sometimes you send them in and they come out worse than when they were sent in. Years ago they could go to school at night, or to workshops, to [learn to] be an electrician or mechanic. I don’t see that too much any more.”Throughout all of it Imperato said he has much to be grateful for, including his family’s support. His wife, Martha, a registered nurse, has been at his side for 59 years. They have five children, 10 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.“They support me very much,” Imperato said. “They listen to me, mostly. And maybe I was too strict in a way with the kids when I was younger, but I saw so much that I didn’t even like them climbing trees. I was afraid.”Yet he acknowledged that Pine Plains was probably one of the best places to raise a family — as ideal a location as one could hope for.“It’s a nice area, quiet, although it’s starting to get congested now,” he said. “A lot of people have been moving in since 9-11. There are no more farms available; there used to be a lot of farms.”And with the population growth came more crime and violence, according to Imperato. Case in point, the hostage situation at Stissing Mountain Middle School in 2009, when lone gunman Chris Craft was charged with taking Principal Robert Hess captive at gunpoint.“It was tragic, but thankfully nobody got hurt,” the judge said. “They apprehended him and then when I sent him down to jail I made sure he had medical attention, psychiatric help. It was memorable, but I didn’t like it.”And there were other cases the judge found interesting, from sex offender cases to bank embezzler cases. Whatever criminal charges were brought before his court he said he felt prepared to deal with them, largely due to the fact that he had a background in law enforcement. He has also kept up on his town justice training, attending school twice a year and attending regular seminars.“The laws are always changing, and you have to keep fresh,” he said. “We have a resource center too, which you can call anytime and get information. “Imperato serves as town justice along with a second town justice, Christi Acker.There will be a special dinner held in Judge Imperato’s honor on June 25 in Poughkeepsie, where he will be presented with an award for his achievement.