Knox County Clerk Of Courts

More money for justice

"We don't worry about going back and fixing, but we go from this day forward, and from this day forward, this is going to be such a help," Amy Dilworth, the center's executive director.

It's $45 that Dilworth says brings new opportunities to the Family Justice Center, and the 63 agencies under its umbrella.

"Think about how many women you know. If you know over 4 women, you likely know someone who is being abused," said Dilworth.

Knox County commissioners signed on to taxing criminals that $45 court fee after the state created a victim assistance program in 2006. But Criminal Court Clerk Joy McCroskey says because the county follows a charter, she couldn't collect.

"It was a loophole. Nobody had the intent for them not to receive the money, but I knew I didn't have the authority to collect it," she said.

She says Knox County was the only one with this problem. That's why she worked with legislators and county commission to amend the wording.

"The mayor signed off on July 7 of this year, so from that day forward, I have been collecting," said McCroskey.

There's now $1,260 in the account from July, says McCroskey. The Justice Center will create an endowment, and use the interest to move current grant funds to grow programs.

"We have a long term plan that these positions will always be here. The Justice Center will be in this community," said Dilworth.

And the best part? Dilworth says criminals are held accountable to the people they've hurt.

"You are going to pay a price to help change the life back, change the course back, for that person."

The Family Justice Center sees more than 50 people a week. Dilworth says anyone who questions their relationship, or wants to reach out to the Family Justice Center should call 521-6336. You can also get more information by clicking on the link above.

Dirigo Blue:: Maine GOP Chair Charlie Webster writes a letter to ...

Mr. St. Peter does not appear to understand Maine law when it comes to becoming a Maine resident. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that individuals cannot be disqualified from voting simply because they are students. It ruled that State Legislatures must allow residents the right to vote, assuming that they are a U.S. citizen and have reached the age of 18. Simply being a student cannot be a reason to disqualify anyone from being allowed to vote.

The key is residency. Although some believe, (obviously Mr. St. Peter among them) that the Court ruled that students may vote where they live; but they must choose "residency" in order to vote. I am not an attorney so when I have a question regarding law, I ask an attorney. Several weeks ago I met with Maine Attorney General William Schneider regarding Maine's lax same-day registration law.

Mr. Schneider explained to me that yes, students may vote in our community as long as they are a resident of our town. If they declare residency, meaning they acknowledge that they are a resident of a town and intend to live here, absolutely, they may vote in that Maine town.

Indeed, in 1979 the US Supreme Court decided not to rule on a lower court case, letting that court's decision in Symm v. United States stand. In that case, a county clerk in Texas had prohibited college students at a historically black college from registering to vote in that county, simply because they were bl---err, college students.

Webster has stated that he thinks college students should not be allowed to vote in local elections, and it appears that he is using claims of "fraud" to further that end.

Webster will also use any means of argument to support his goal, as his evident in this LTE:

On the other hand, if they register to vote and do not fulfill the other requirements of Maine law which include, registering their car (if they have one), changing their driver's license (if they have one), and paying income tax, if they have income, then they are in violation of Maine law. No where in Maine law does it allow anyone to become a "resident for the day."

What Webster is hoping is that his readers confuse violating other Maine laws regarding drivers licenses and vehicle registration with legal rights of voting. If these students register to vote in Maine then they ought to fulfill the other obligations that are required, just like the rest of us do.

The Northwestern reporter

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