Judge Farrell named to state commission

F a r re l l

Amherst Town Justice Mark G. Farrell has been named to the state Special Commission on the Future of New York State Courts.

The appointment was made by the office of Judge Judith Kaye, chief administrative judge of the State of New York.

She established the commission, chaired by attorney Carey R. Dunne of Manhattan, to make recommendations with regard to potential sweeping changes in the organization and operation of all levels of courts.

The commission's creation came in the wake of the recent Action Plan for Town and Village Courts in New York State and the recently expressed interest in enhanced subsidy and operational support for town and village courts.

The state Office of Court Administration sought the input of the judges at the local criminal court level.

Farrell's appointment is a result of his long involvement in promoting the welfare of town and village courts and his current position as president-elect of the New York State Magistrates Association.

Farrell has been an Amherst justice since 1994 and has been recognized for his innovations in the institution of Therapeutic Problem-Solving Courts including implementation of the first suburban drug court in the United States, the first Domestic Violence Court in Erie County and the only Gambling Treatment Court in the United States.