Darien Swears In New Justices Of The Peace

Information via Town of Darien

DARIEN, CT — Darien Town Clerk Christa McNamara announced on Thursday the new Justices of the Peace for the town of Darien. The justices will serve a four-year term from Jan. 6, 2025, through Jan. 2, 2029.

"I am honored to swear in these new justices who will serve our community," McNamara said in a news release. "These individuals have sworn that they will faithfully execute the office of Justice of the Peace, and will do ‘equal right and justice to all persons’ to the best of their judgment and ability while executing their role and responsibilities."

The Darien Justices of the Peace are:

• David Brown
• Francisco Cardona
• Kevin Cunningham
• Janet Fitzsimons
• Dan Guller
• Elizabeth Hall
• Cathy Hauck
• Ann Gail Hult
• Eric Joosten
• Janet King
• Elisa Kristensen
• Christopher Matteson
• Joseph Pankowski
• Bruce Phelps
• Brian Rayhill
• Rob Richards
• Georgia Ann von Schmidt
• Jayme Stevenson
• Rachel Taylor
• Barbara Thorne
• Arlene Tulacro
• Michael Wheeler
• Morgan Whittier
• Terrie Wood
• Jon Zagrodzky

Connecticut municipalities select their Justices of the Peace in the year of a presidential election, and Darien has 30 justices, as stated in the town code.

The Democratic and Republican parties are each entitled to nominate 10 justices, with the remaining 10 justices coming from either members of minor political parties, or those who are not affiliated with any political party. The town clerk is responsible for processing applications from those not enrolled in the major political parties. All Justices of the Peace must be registered electors of the Town of Darien.

The duties performed by justices are set forth in state statute, but performing marriage ceremonies seems to be the most popular, a news release from the town said.

"Couples coming in to the town clerk’s office for their marriage licenses will often ask for our justices of the peace list to select an officiant for their ceremonies," McNamara added. "If a wedding ceremony is performed in Darien, the marriage license must come from the Darien Town Clerk."

In addition to presiding over wedding ceremonies, justices are also authorized to issue tax warrants, administer oaths, take depositions, acknowledge an executed instrument, and issue subpoenas to compel a witness to appear before the Board of Police Commissioners.

More information on the Darien Justices of the Peace can be found on the Darien town website.

Editor's note: Missing from the photo are Francisco Cardona, Kevin Cunningham, Elizabeth Hall, Cathy Hauck, Ann Gail Hult, Elisa Kristensen, Barbara Thorne, Arlene Tulacro, Georgia Ann von Schmidt