Meet the Uncontested TOM Town Justice Candidate Jean Marie Brescia

If the residents of the Town of Mamaroneck (TOM) were to go searching for a candidate to fill the Town Justice position, what would we look for? Someone with an impressive legal education? Sure. Someone who has had experience as an attorney? That would help. How about someone extremely active in local civic and school activities? Definitely. Patch recently caught up with just such a candidate, our own uncontested Town Justice Jean Marie Brescia. Here is what the Justice had to say:

Patch-1: If you were to meet with a layperson, completely unfamiliar with local government, how would you describe the duties and responsibilities of the position you are currently running for [Town Justice]?

Brescia:  “Given the local nature of the cases before Justice Courts, these courts are often called ‘the courts closest to the people.’ The Mamaroneck Town Justice Court has jurisdiction in matters affecting our community. In criminal matters … the duties of the Town Justices include setting bail, issuing orders of protection, holding felony and other preliminary hearings, conducting jury and non-jury trials and sentencing defendants. In civil matters, Town Justices conduct civil and small claims trials as well as summary proceedings in landlord/tenant matters.”

Patch-2:  How do you think your previous local government experience will help you in your uncontested bid for Town Justice?

Brescia:  “I have served as Town Justice since January 2003. There is definitely a learning curve with this job, and I hope to continue to use my experience as Town Justice to serve our community.”

Patch-3:  Is there anything we haven’t discussed that you would like the residents of Mamaroneck to know about the candidate, Jean Marie Brescia?

Brescia:  [From a prepared statement and resume] Brescia received her Juris Doctorate (J.D.) law degree from Harvard Law School in 1985, graduating magna cum laude, and was admitted to the New York Bar in February 1986. She has been an Adjunct Professor of Law at New York Law School since 2007, currently teaching Special Education Law and Practice. She has practiced in the fields of children’s rights and education law at the Legal Aid Society in New York City.

Justice Brescia has been actively involved in local civic and school activities. She serves as a board member of At Home on the Sound, a local support service for Larchmont/Mamaroneck residents 60 years of ago or older, was previously a trustee of the Mamaroneck Library and served as a mentor with “Judge Judy” Sheindlin’s in 2007-08. Brescia has been very involved with the PTA, as her children have progressed through the local public school system. She was co-president of the Mamaroneck Avenue School PTA and served on the PTA Executive Committees at Hommocks Middle School and Mamaroneck High School. Brescia lives in the Mamaroneck community she seeks to continue serving with her husband Rick and their three children.

For a recap of your TOM November candidates, click the links to the right for previous Patch interviews with Nancy Seligson (D)-Town Supervisor, Seth Marcus (R)-Town Council, Abby Katz (D)-Town Council, - Town Council, and Christina Battalia (D)-Town Clerk.

Happy voting in November, Mamaroneck!