Adjudication Court caseload increasing

Woodstock's Administrative Adjudication Court was open this morning and conducted what I believe was its largest court call to date.

Judge David Eterno presides over the court, and the court clerk is Tamara Buss. The court is run in an efficient and friendly manner, and it's clear that Judge Eterno is interested in changing and correcting the behavior of those who appear before him.

There were numerous truancy matters this morning, and they generally resulted in fines of the $50.00 minimum, plus court costs. A parent was present with each minor and, in those cases where the parent was going to have to cough up the money, the judge impressed on the student that s/he, the student, would be expected to re-pay the parent.

There were cases of drugs and paraphernalia at Woodstock North High School and early morning curfew violations with related alcohol (possession by minor) charges. The City and the students agreed on pleas that resulted in significant fines on one of the charges and "non-suit" of the other charge. Fines were $125-175, plus court costs.

Most importantly, these students avoided the criminal records that would have been created, had the cases been in McHenry County Circuit Court, not in Woodstock's court.

Judge Eterno dismissed one truancy case, because the ticket was written at 8:20AM, the same time as first bell at the high school. It appeared that the student, his father and the prosecutor might have reached a negotiated plea, but Judge Eterno examined the ticket before the prosecutor could explain the plea deal. I'm sure the parent and the student didn't expect that.

As I have written before, Woodstock is lucky to have Judge Eterno for this court. He is fair and firm and deals with each person respectfully.

At least two parties were found liable (versus "guilty), when they didn't show up today. Fines were assessed, and they'll get their greetings and bills by mail.