In a letter to Chief Judge Frank Caprio, of the Providence Municipal Court, City Council Majority Leader Terrence M. Hassett, Ward 12, reassures the municipal judges that the City Council is satisfied with the “thoughtful and realistic decisions made by the municipal court to achieve tempered results that are fair and equitable.”

The Cicilline administration has been critical of the municipal court for not raising enough money to fund the city budget.

Hassett stated that he feels the recent criticism by a member of the Cicilline administration is unwarranted and is beyond the jurisdiction of the executive branch.  “The City Council,” he stated, “elects the municipal judges, but the jurists are bound by their oath to be independent, impartial and fair in dispensing justice in matters before them.”

“The City Council did not elect municipal court judges to raise money for the city,” Hassett said.  “Their duty is to achieve a just result based on the evidence and their sound judgment and not on a city official who sees fit to pressure judges to collect more fines.”

“There is also a separation of powers issues here,” Hassett noted.  “The executive branch needs to mind its own affairs and leave justice to the judges.  I don’t call Judge Caprio to fill a pothole and I don’t expect the Director of Administration to rule on a matter of law.”