Meet the Candidates: Justice Dougherty Discusses Career Highlights

With election day approaching in Malverne, Patch wraps up its "Meet the Candidates" series with a profile on Village Justice James Dougherty.

Dougherty is running unopposed for re-election this year under the Independent Party of Malverne. During a special program hosted by the Malverne Civic Association and aired on Malverne TV this week, Dougherty discussed his experience and accomplishments thus far.

Dougherty explained that when he was first elected to the position of village justice, he worked his way through the various corporate offices and became the president of the Nassau County Magistrate's Association in 1991. He continued to work harder and became the director and later president of the New York State Magistrate's Association.

"What does that mean for you?” Dougherty asked to residents pertaining to his accomplishments. He stated, “Beside prestige, it brought many innovations to the village by the state of New York.”

Dougherty informed residents about the achievements that he accomplished while being the village justice.

One of the most important was the immediate transfer of funds from New York State to the village of Malverne, which now can be done in two days. Prior to this new system, “it could have taken four to five months to get the funds back to the village,” explained Dougherty.

He added that the village also has a priority to J-CAP funds, money available to local courts to assist them with the various expenses.

Another important innovation that the village court has done is the elimination of at least three steps that other courts still use. The three steps include arraignment (pleading guilty or not guilty,) conference for the not guilty and a guilty plea and sentence. The court has combined all three steps, which makes for one appearance in court and the case can be disposed at that time. Grouping these three steps together also cuts down on court time.

Dougherty also explained that he assisted with bringing over $5 million into the village. He said since the court’s cost at this time is around $3 million, this makes for a $2 million surplus. He added that the court’s budget has been cut to the core.

“Defendants and attorneys have praised our court for fairness and expeditious handling of cases,” Justice Dougherty explained to the residents. 

The village elections will be held on Tuesday, March 15 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the

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