N.Y. Town Law § 31: Powers and duties of town justices; requirements; restriction

§ 31. Powers and duties of town justices; requirements; restriction.

1. The town justice shall have such jurisdiction in criminal and civil

matters and in special proceedings, as is now or may hereafter be

conferred by law. Each such justice shall:

(a) Keep or cause to be kept the records and dockets required by the

uniform justice court act. No town justice shall receive or disburse any

moneys unless he shall furnish or receive a proper receipt therefor, or

make a memorandum or record of such transaction, in such form and detail

as the state comptroller shall prescribe.

(b) At least annually and as often as may be required, submit his

dockets to the members of the town board for examination and audit.

2. No town justice selected for a term of office commencing on or

after September first, nineteen hundred sixty-seven, except one who has

been admitted to practice law in this state, shall assume the functions

of his office unless he has filed in the office of the town clerk a

certificate of completion of a course of training prescribed by the

administrative board of the judicial conference. The administrative

board may issue a temporary certificate enabling a justice to assume the

functions of his office pending completion of the earliest such course

available thereafter. Such certificates shall be in a form, and subject

to terms and conditions, prescribed by the administrative board.

3. Notwithstanding any other law, actual and necessary expenses

incurred by a justice or justice elect in attending a course of training

required of him before he can assume the functions of his office shall

be a charge against the town.

4. No town justice selected for a term of office commencing on or

after July first, nineteen hundred seventy-five, shall engage in or

accept any employment as a "police officer" or a "peace officer" as

those terms are defined in the criminal procedure law.

5. A person who has been convicted of a felony pursuant to the laws of

this state or who has been convicted in federal court or in another

state for a crime or offense that would constitute a felony under the

laws of this state shall be permanently ineligible to be a candidate for

town justice or to be appointed or continue to hold such office.