Judge with a heart

Today's Administrative Adjudication Court in Woodstock had a fairly small docket. There were only 15 cases on it, including three continued from last month.

The judge is Hon. David Eterno, and the Court Clerk is Donna Buss. Cases on the docket today ranged from truancy of high school students (8), Minor in possession of tobacco (3), an illegal basement apartment, a wireless monitoring fee at a business, inoperative vehicle and stored debris, and parking off the improved surface at a business.

Total fines today were $1,025 plus the fine for a ticket paid before court, plus court costs. Several truancy tickets were issued to minors, who appeared in court with a parent. Judge Eterno conducts a fair and respectful court, and he impresses on the minors, most of whom do not work, that, while the parent will end up paying the fine and court costs, the expense belongs to the kid.

Judge Eterno experience a "first" in his court today, when one young woman (truant) asked for 30 days abeyance of the fine, so that she could earn the money herself to pay the fine. Judge Eterno told the girl and her mother (and the people in the courtroom) that, until today, not one person had come to him and wanted to pay the fine on her own. He complimented her on her attitude toward the ticket and the fine.

Judge Eterno also recognized that two parents were not understanding him, as they stood for their cases, and he required the young adult to translate for her parent in each case.  He conducts his court professionally and with respect and compassion for those who are charged.

Woodstock residents are fortunate to have such a judge in their court.