MEETING MINUTES

Monday, August 1, 2016

Attendance

Present were: Judge Gray, Judge Lovecchio, Judge McCoy, Brian Bluth, Richard Callahan, Robert Cronin, Robert Elion, Skip Greevy, Ed Mitchell, John Person, Clifford Rieders, Joseph Rider, Jeffrey Rowe, Thomas Waffenschmidt, and Michele Frey

Old Business

None

New Business

Court Calendar for 2017

There will be a combined civil and criminal trial term from February 6 to March 10.

There may be no trial during the week of February 20. Judge Lovecchio and Judge Gray will be trying both criminal and civil cases during the term.

There will be another four week trial term for both civil and criminal trials in mid-June.

There will be a combined four week trial term for civil and criminal trials sometime in September and October.

Judge Anderson’s status for 2017 is unknown. If the constitutional amendment to extend active Judge’s tenure to age 75 passes, Judge Anderson may be sitting. If the amendment does not pass, Judge Anderson will be a Senior Judge.

Other senior Judges expected to be sitting include Senior Judge Louise Knight, Senior Judge Ken Brown and Senior Judge John Leete.

The long term goal for trial terms is to have four combined four week civil and criminal trial terms per year.

Bar Directory

The Law Association is finalizing the publication of an updated directory of attorneys and Judges including photographs and contact information.

Jury Questionnaires

There was further discussion about the need to be able to get condensed lists of jurors and access to jury questionnaires a reasonable time before jury selection.

DUI

Judge Lovecchio reported on the impact of a recent U.S. Supreme Court case which has held that blood alcohol tests forced to be taken under threat of increased criminal sanctions are inadmissible.

The decision impacts approximately 200 pending cases.

One solution is to reduce charges to impaired driving.

Alternative to Special Needs Trusts for Disabled Persons Under Age of 26

Joe Rider reported the availability of an alternative to a Special Needs Trust for disabled individuals under the age of 26. It is known as Achieving a Better Experience Act (ABE) and is formed in Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code.

Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 7, 2016.

Respectfully submitted,

C. Edward Mitchell, Chairman