Justice of the Peace Newsletter Summer 2005

Here is the JP Conference Registration Form that you will find online at www.jpUS.org/conference.htm.
We're including it here for those who prefer to print it and mail it.

G YES! I will attend the JP Conference on Sept. 24. Enclosed is my check for $ ______.

Name_______________________________________________________________________

Address __________________________Town/City ___________________ State _____ Zip_______

Phone ________________________ Email ____________________________________

Please mail with check to: Justice of the Peace Association • 8 Webb Road • Westport CT 06880
For further information: 203-226-1710 or Email: conference@jpUS.org

Town Ambassadors Wanted! If you can help us get word of the conference out to the thousands of Connecticut JPs, we welcome your assistance. We'll provide the materials for you to:
G work with your Town Clerk to inform the town's JPs
G write or call the JPs in your town yourself
G send a news release to local papers and radio stations

Here's another reason to join www.jpUS.org now, besides the member's price for admission to the conference. If you want to perform civil unions, you can say so in the featured listing on www.findaJP.com that comes with membership. Couples seeking an officiant for their civil union or marriage are sure to find you. So now's the time! Click here to join.
Where Can Couples Get a Civil Union License on Saturday, October 1? Many couples will not want to lose a moment in making their union legal. JP Mary Pugh of Norwalk, CT, did the research on which Connecticut Town Clerk offices are regularly open on Saturdays. For this special day, some Town Clerks that are not regularly open on Saturday have decided to open on Oct. 1. Others are still thinking about it. Here's the report to date. This information is also on the www.findaJP.com website. Please check there for updates. Do note that most Saturday hours are morning only. And do call ahead! In Litchfield County: BETHLEHEM Regular Hours, 9:00 A.M.-12:00 Noon,Tues. through Sat.; Location, 36 Main St. South; www.ci.bethlehem.ct.us (203) 266-7510 KENT Special Hours on Oct. 1: 9:00-12:00, longer if necessary, also looking for JPs that can be available that day Contact Darlene F. Brady, Town Clerk 860-927-3433 WASHINGTON Specially Open on Oct. 1 Sheila M. Anson, Town Clerk 860-868-2786 SHARON Special Hours on Oct. 1: 9:00- 12 noon. Linda R. Amerighi , Town Clerk 860-364-5224 In Middlesex County: DURHAM Regular Hours, 8:30 A.M.-4:30 P.M., Mon. through Fri.; 10:00 A.M.-12:00 Noon, Sat., from Sept. through June except for holiday weekends; Address, Town Hall, 30 Town House Rd. (860) 349-3453. www.townofdurhamct.org KILLINGWORTH Regular Hours, 8:00 A.M.-12:00 Noon, 1-4 P.M., Mon. th?ough Fri.; Sat. A.M., by appointment; Address, Town Office Bldg., 323 Route 81. (860) 663-1616 In Fairfield County: NEW FAIRFIELD Regular Hours, 8:30 A.M.-5:00 P.M., Tues. through Fri.; 8:30 A.M.-12:00 Noon, Sat.; Address, Town Hall, Rte. 39, 4 Brush Hill Rd., 06812. (203) 312-5615 www.munic.state.ct.us/NEW_FAIRFIELD/new_fairfield.htm NORWALK Specially Open on Oct. 1: The hours of operation are yet to be determined. Andrew S. Garfunkel, Town Clerk 203-854-7746 SHERMAN Regular Hours, 9:00 A.M.-12:00 Noon, 1-4 P.M., Tues. through Fri.; 9:00 A.M.-12:00 Noon, Sat.; Address, Mallory Town Hall, 9 Rte. 39 North, P.O. Box 39, 06784-0039. (860) 354-5281 www.townofsherman.org/ TRUMBULL Regular Hours, 9:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M., Mon. through Thurs.; 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M., Fri.; 9:00 A.M.-12:00 Noon, the second Sat. of the month (Oct 1 is NOT included); Address, Town Hall, 5866 Main St., 06611-3193; www.trumbullct.com/ (203) 452-5035 In New London County: VOLUNTOWN Regular Hours, 9:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M., Mon. through Fri.; 6-8 P.M., Tues.; Sat. by appointment; Address, Town Hall, 115 Main St., P.O. Box 96, 06384-0096. 860) 376-4089; www.voluntown.gov/
Q and A for JPs Q: Can Justices of the Peace choose to not perform a wedding based on personal criteria? In my case, my fiancée is 17 and I am 33. I am just wondering whether a JP that we have scheduled to perform our ceremony can back out because he does not think our marriage is appropriate based on our age difference. I personally do not think it is, or should be, an issue, but my fiancee's mother asked whether the JP knows our ages. I figured I would get an opinion before I worry about whether I need to tell our justice of the peace. NH A: It depends where you live. In Connecticut, the presumption is that JPs do not have to perform a service if they do not want to. (The law is clear in regard to civil unions, but not to marriages.) In Massachusetts, however, a refusal subjects the officiant to stiff penalties.) Your wedding license includes your date of birth. JPs can do the arithmetic if they are concerned. My advice is: don't wait. Let your JP know and if he objects, get another. There are plenty of JPs available. *Saul Haffner* Q: With a justice of the peace, can a person get married in a church or does it have to be outside? Thanks, *Chris* A: JPs are authorized to perform weddings ANYWHERE in the state of CT. On the other hand a church (of any denomination) could have its own rules about who it permits access to its facilities. Although a JP can perform his duties there, the church is under no obligation to let anyone in. Saul Haffner Q: I am Vietnamese, and our culture has a traditional ceremony that takes place in the bride's home. The ceremony is conducted by the two eldest and respected members on both sides. However, we need a justice of the peace to witness the ceremony and sign our marriage certificate to make it legal. Is that possible? Or, do we need to have another ceremony conducted by the JP in order to make it legal? *NHN* *JP Bob Ellis of Windsor, CT,* received the above inquiry from a prospective bride and asked our advice. "As a JP, can I simply witness the ceremony and sign the marriage license without actually performing the ceremony?" he asked. "Or should I conduct a brief ceremony following the traditional one of their culture?" A: On several occasions I have been asked to simply sign the license while someone else actually "performed" a service. My minimalist ceremony consists of asking the two applicants if they are the persons named on the license and are they entering into their marriage without reservations. I then "pronounce" them husband and wife and sign the license and return it to the Town Clerk. Saul Haffner Share your experiences on any of these topics. Send to: newsletter@jpus.org	Same Sex Marriage Update On July 20, Same-sex marriage was legalized across Canada by the Civil Marriage Act , following passage of a similar act in Spain on July 2. They are the third and fourth countries in the world to give gay couples the same right to marry as heterosexual couples. Gay marriage became legal in the Netherlands in 2001 and in Belgium in 2003.. In the U.S., the California Supreme Court on August 1 unanimously expanded the legal rights of gay couples in the state's domestic partner registry. The ruling requires that businesses treat the domestic partners of their clients in the same way as married partners if discounts or special services are offered. JPs Weigh In on Use of Contracts I find it good practice to have a written record of the marriage. I provide a form stating the couple's names and address as well as their marriage license number and expiration date, the terms and date of the wedding. I have them sign this form and also ask for some photo I.D. (always a good idea if the parties are not kno?n to you). Keep this in a safe discreet place as a permanent record. I also ask for a small deposit as surety for the intended ceremony. A wedding is supposed to be a lovely and momentous occasion but it's also an official one. We are providing a paid service, and a deposit is surety that couple doesn't leave us in the lurch, without regard to our personal schedule. I personally feel a 20-30% deposit is sufficient to ensure this. Of course, if the bride or groom cancels within a reasonable time -- say 2 or 3 days before the proposed wedding -- the deposit should be returned to them. If they cancel without notice, then the deposit is forfeited. And of course, if the wedding goes as planned, the deposit is applied toward the balance. This is only right and fair to all parties. *Adam Cote, JP, New Britain, CT* I write a letter of understanding after an in-person or phone consultation. The letter includes time, date, general description of ceremony and cost, and requests a minimal, non-refundable deposit to hold the date. I acknowledge the deposit with a note. Regina Pacitti, JP, Waltham, MA How I assure that my contact time with the couple is not totally financially in vain, I require a 50% deposit in order to cement their wedding date and time. Up until I receive the deposit, the date is open for the taking by others. I inform them that after I receive the funds, should a cancellation be made by me they will be refunded the full amount. In the event they cancel, then only 25% of the deposit will be refunded. I have had only one cancellation to date. Linda Morris, JP, Haverhill MA