NEW SCOTLAND – Republican Margaret Adkins says that she really enjoys being a town justice, and feels she can make a difference. She is running for re-election in a four-way race for two town justice posts.

Adkins, 46, was elected in 2003 and, in her first term, she helped make the court more accessible, she said. It was a project the entire court took part in, she said, citing the clerks and former town justice Thomas Dolin, who resigned from his post in March to run for supervisor, as also being integral in making it happen.
The court hours are more extensive, she explained. The evening court starts an hour earlier, "which seems to be more convenient," said Adkins, adding that morning court is also offered once a month.
Adkins has also been working on a website for the court, that can be accessed through the town’s website, so that town residents can access information remotely, she said. The site will offer sample marriage vows, and information for the procedure regarding traffic violations. "I thought it would be very useful," Adkins said of the website.
Adkins, who has lived in New Scotland for nearly 20 years with her husband, David Adkins, has a private practice that she runs out of her home, she said. "I mostly do real-estate closings and wills," she said. Adkins has two children — Mary, 15, and Mark, 13.

Adkins graduated from Albany Law School, and has a Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University.
The role of town justice, said Adkins, is "to make sure that defendants are treated fairly." The justice has to see both sides and make a decision based on the facts and the law, said Adkins.
"You have to be unbiased. I strive to be that way," she said. The role of the judge is to be impartial, she added.
Recently, she said, a lot of young people have been appearing in her courtroom. "They make mistakes," she said. "We’re working with them to realize those mistakes."

Adkins said that she is definitely in favor of using community service as an alternative to jail time, where it is applicable.
Community service comes into play a lot with unlawful-possession-of-marijuana charges, she said. For a first offense, she said, she generally adjourns the case in contemplation of dismissal (ACOD), and, as part of that, she said, "We require 20 hours of community service."

The volunteer work is done in places such as the library, local food pantries, or through a program with the sheriff’s department, which tends to be the least favorite among young people, she said.

The judge needs to get the facts to make a decision and ensure that everyone is treated fairly, Adkins said.
Her judicial philosophy, she said, is "to treat people fairly and respectfully, and to encourage the same in court." She often tells people to stand up or to make eye contact, she said, reiterating how important it is that there be mutual respect in the courtroom.

It is also essential to make sure that the defendant’s rights are preserved, she said.
"I think people expect fairness and courtesy from the staff. They also expect a preservation of their community, and safety," she said.
With regard to whether she believes that town justices should be elected or appointed, Adkins said, "either system has great potential for being flawed.
"I wish it was totally non-partisan," she said of the judgeship, but she added, "I don’t see a way around it.
"I’m enrolled as a Republican, but it really shouldn’t make a difference," said Adkins. "That’s not how I look at people who come into my courtroom," she said, referring to their party affiliation.
For the town justice position, said Adkins, "you have to be available." Sometimes you might receive a phone call in the middle of the night, she said. "You have to be able to get to Town Hall to do those arraignments," she said.

Adkins said that she signed a fair-campaign pledge through the League of Women voters, in which she promised to conduct her campaign openly, fairly, and truthfully.
"I feel we ought to treat other candidates fairly, just as we do people in the courtroom," she concluded.