Town hires special prosecutor

AMENIA — Making it a little harder to get out of a traffic ticket, the Amenia Town Board passed a resolution at its June 10 meeting appointing attorney Gayle Zelazny as the town’s  special prosecutor.

The push for a town prosecutor in Amenia has been months in the making. Town Supervisor Wayne Euvrard explained that the primary reason for the prosecutor is that too many cases that come before the town’s court are dismissed simply because a trooper or sheriff’s deputy doesn’t show for an appearance.

It’s a matter of fair justice, as well as a lost financial opportunity, Euvrard said. Dismissed charges are considered sealed documents and the amount of a municipal or traffic fine, assuming the subject was even found guilty, are subject to a judge’s discretion. All that taken into account, it would be virtually impossible to calculate the financial advantage of hiring a town prosecutor.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t savings to be found, and  Amenia is not the only town to consider the benefits of hiring a prosecutor. The North East Town Board, back in April, approved advertising for qualified attorneys and is expected to follow in Amenia’s footsteps.

Zelazny came recommended to the Town Board, Euvrard said last week. She is also the special prosecutor in Pawling, and is “very familiar with the process,� the supervisor said.

Euvrard reported that he has been in contact with Dutchess County District Attorney William Grady for approval of Zelazny, which is a legal requirement. Once the DA signs off on the town’s resolution, Zelazny can begin work. The plan is currently for her to work one night a month.

The town’s prosecutor will handle matters ranging from traffic infractions to local municipal laws including harassment and trespassing, according to a second resolution passed at the June 10 meeting. Additionally, Euvrard reported at last week’s June 17 meeting, Zelazny can handle cases regarding local zoning issues.

The supervisor also added that the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office will be announcing that all violations can be handled by the prosecutor, meaning a law enforcement official would not be required to appear in court.

“A lot of towns are doing it,� Euvrard said. “It’s going to save the county money as well as the taxpayers, and hopefully it will help our coffers as well.�