By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
SOMERS POINT — Atlantic County Counsel Jim Ferguson and retired Superior Court Judge Mark Sandson brought their countywide municipal court presentation to Somers Point for a second time Thursday, Aug. 26, this time with some more solid numbers.
The legal eagles have been traversing the county advocating for the system proposed by Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson.
Ferguson contends the endeavor would result in significant financial savings and a reduction of duplicate services, while Sandson insists it would provide a better product and important social services to treat addiction and mental illness and reduce recidivism.
City Council initially rejected the idea in early summer, contending there were too many unanswered questions. Since that time, some issues have been resolved while others remain unclear.
One major stumbling block to the plan was cleared over the summer. Legislation proposed by state Senate President Stephen Sweeney to allow for the pilot program had to pass both houses of the Legislature and get the stamp of approval from the Governor’s Office.
City leaders also were concerned at the lack of commitment from the 23 municipal governments in the county and the tight timetable necessary to pull off the plan.
Ferguson said the county now has a commitment from eight municipalities — Egg Harbor Township, Estell Manor, Galloway Township, Hamilton Township, Linwood, Northfield, Ventnor and Weymouth Township — and is moving forward with the plan.
Initial financial calculations based on the municipalities that showed interest included 11 towns, but only eight so far have gotten on board.
City Council asked about the financial savings under the eight-town model.
According to information from Atlantic County spokeswoman Linda Gilmore, the average yearly caseload under the 11-town proforma was 50,450. That included Buena Vista Township, Port Republic and Mullica Township. Under the eight-town proforma, the average yearly caseload is 57,396, with Hamilton Township replacing those three municipalities. With the addition of Somers Point’s 4,393 average, she said, the nine-town average would be 61,789.
According to these averages, it appears as if Somers Point would make out even better than the initial estimates.
Financial savings
Ferguson shared figures with City Council from the 11-city model, saying he did not have updated figures. He said Somers Point spends an average of $312,000 per year for its court system and collects $205,000 in revenue, leaving a deficit of $107,000.
Under the proposal, the city would pay $125,000 per year, saving $190,000, and still receive its revenue, turning a deficit into a surplus, he said.
The financial savings would increase if more municipalities joined, something Ferguson said he expects to see in the near future.
Gilmore said the county has received inquiries from Brigantine, Margate, Longport and Mullica Township, and hopes to secure a few more before the deadline of Oct. 1.
Ferguson said all cases would be handled at the Old Courthouse in Mays Landing, freeing up a local officer to patrol rather than stand around the courtroom all day. The Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office will be providing security.
Another way participants would be able to better allocate their officers is by their being able to testify from their vehicle or City Hall. Ferguson said 85 percent of cases would be held virtually, greatly reducing the need for officers to travel to the county seat for court proceedings.
In addition, Sandson said, the state Superior Court has agreed to provide a computer kiosk at every municipal hall to facilitate witness testimony for those who do not have other access.
Another financial factor is that part of the legislation allowing for the pilot program is a change in the way State Police violations are collected. Ferguson said if a ticket is written on the Garden State Parkway outside Somers Point, the city no longer would get the revenue; instead it would go to the county. Only by participating in the countywide court would the city benefit.
Social benefits
Sandson said saving money is fantastic in the most heavily taxed state in the nation but what’s better is treating the three major causes of criminal cases — addiction, mental illness and domestic violence — and also saving money.
He contends that treating the cause rather than punishing the behavior is the path to successfully reducing recidivism, ultimately saving more money and lives.
Sandson, who played an integral part in creation of the state’s drug court system, said the countywide municipal court would have specialized caseloads in which social service and mental health agencies would be available to provide assistance. He said the county already is working with Jewish Family Service and other local agencies.
Sandson said being able to offer the choice between six months in jail or rehab would give the court some teeth. He said a major problem prohibiting treatment is that minor drug-possession charges are not being indicted and the violators are missing out on a chance for assistance that could be provided at the county level.
“Those are the addicts that need the most help and they are not getting treatment services,” he said, adding that treatment without supervision is not effective. “If we don’t deal with it, they’ll be back.”
Nuts and bolts
Ferguson called the Special Municipal Court of Atlantic County a tri-part agreement involving the county, the municipalities and the state Superior Court system.
Ferguson said the county would provide the site for the central court, the Government Services building, better known as the old criminal courthouse on Main Street in Mays Landing
He said the county would fund improvements to the building to provide two fully functioning courtrooms and a third that would be used largely by the grand jury but could also be used for other matters. The county also would provide judges’ chambers and work areas for prosecutors and public defenders, as well as a 21-person administrative staff.
The court system is providing information technology and equipment, including a state-of-the-art recording system.
Participating municipalities began meeting Aug. 24 to form the two committees that will oversee operations — a governance committee and a personnel committee — with five municipal representatives on each based on geography.
Ferguson said there will be a chief judge and two associate judges hired for the court, as well as 21 support staff including violations clerks, an accountant and interpreter.
City Councilman Sean McGuigan asked about the city’s court employees securing positions with the countywide court. Ferguson said they would be given fair consideration.
Sandson contends the product will be better and better serve the public. He said the countywide court will be more efficient, having multiple judges in multiple courtrooms operating multiple sessions daily. That includes morning, afternoon and evening sessions and even Saturday sessions.
Concerns remain
City Council President Janice Johnston asked about a budget. Ferguson said he could provide basic numbers but nothing has yet been finalized.
Councilman Joe McCarrie expressed concern that what appears to be a savings would turn out to be a loss when everything is said and done.
Ferguson said it’s a new project and people don’t like change but the reward is worth the risk.
“We believe this is the future of municipal court,” he said, contending the county and court system bear most of the risk through the capital spending required to make the system work.
Ferguson said the county is seeking a two-year commitment from participating municipalities. Councilman Howard Dill asked when the city could join if it did not do so this year. Ferguson said the city could agree next year to join starting in 2023.
Councilwoman Karen Bruno asked how cases would be prioritized since there would be so many.
Sandson replied that he expects it to be far more efficient with as many as 80 sessions a month. “We are trying to make a more efficient system,” he said.