Judge Howard Grodman & Lena Fowler Submitted Photo Chairwoman Lena Fowler stands next to Justice of the Peace Howard Grodman at the first hearing.

Navajo-Hopi Observer

TUBA CITY, Ariz. – Navajo Nation residents with misdemeanor arrest warrants – many of whom haven’t stepped foot off the reservation in years – had them cleared by a visiting Coconino County Flagstaff Justice Court judge, who held the first-ever court hearings on the Navajo Nation.

Until the historic Sept. 27 court hearings before Flagstaff Justice of the Peace Howard Grodman, several Navajo residents with outstanding warrants were reluctant to leave their homes to clear the warrants for fear of being arrested, said Coconino County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Lena Fowler.

“It’s very important that we provide this service to people who have been really shackled by the legal system,” Chairwoman Fowler said. “The main question that came to our office, when people called, was whether they were going to get arrested. These are people who have decided they are not going to step over that boundary line.”

Bringing the first-of-its-kind court hearings onto the Navajo Nation was a collaboration between Chairwoman Fowler, Judge Grodman and Tuba City Judicial District Court Administrator Alice Huskie. Twenty-three residents scheduled meetings to go before Judge Grodman, who recently heard 21 cases inside the Bureau of Indian Affairs Western Navajo Agency building.

The cases ranged from lacking proof of insurance, registration or a driver’s license; to driving with expired vehicle registration, on a suspended license, revoked license, DUI, possession of marijuana, driving without child restraints and speeding.

Judge Grodman said the intention of holding court in Tuba City was to clear as many warrants as possible. He said people may have been avoiding the court or going to Flagstaff for fear of being taken to jail.

“I think it went well,” Judge Grodman said. “I think there’s some legitimate fears of being arrested coming into court. You have people with suspended driving privileges and they may be suspended because they haven’t paid the fines and they’d be potentially be racking up more fines if they were driving.”

Judge Grodman cleared 15 outstanding warrants for residents from Tuba City, Kayenta, Tonalea, Pinon and Kaibeto. One main goal was to reconnect those residents with the court system and to appoint them an attorney if needed.

Navajo Nation Tuba City Judicial District Court Administrator Alice Huskie was encouraged by the effort to bring the hearings. “My staff and I are very happy to have participated in the planning of this new initiative and we fully support Lena’s efforts to assist the general public by bringing the county courts here to the Navajo Nation,” Huskie said.

“The purpose of holding court in Tuba was to clear warrants so that people could start working again, go to school again, be able to go wherever they need to take care of daily activities. Those whose warrants were cleared can now feel free to continue with their lives,” Chairwoman Fowler said.

Coconino County, Justice Court and Navajo Nation officials hope to arrange similar court hearings in Tuba City and surrounding communities again in the spring. Contact Supervisor Lena Fowler’s office for additional information at (928) 283-4518. ]]> http://www.howardgrodman.com/wp/coconino-county-justice-court-judge-holds-first-ever-hearings-on-navajo-nation/feed/ 0 http://www.howardgrodman.com/wp/endorsements2/ http://www.howardgrodman.com/wp/endorsements2/#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:03:03 +0000 Eric http://www.howardgrodman.com/wp/?p=16 Howard Grodman has received endorsements from these individuals.

Howard Grodman

A licensed attorney now sits at the helm of Flagstaff Justice Court.

Because there is no other party contender in the Nov. 2 general election, Howard Grodman will be taking over for Judge Brian Kolb at the end of his term.

Known as The People’s Court, Flagstaff Justices of the Peace are not required to have a law degree. But Grodman campaigned on the belief that an attorney has the legal knowledge necessary to best handle cases that have grown in complexity over the years.

The post pays $101,500 a year.

Grodman beat out fellow democrats Avtar Khalsa and Darrin Womble for the nomination after early and provisional ballots were counted over the weekend, according to information from the county elections office.

Grodman came out with 40 percent of the 6,762 votes cast. Womble garnered 35 percent, and Khalsa received 25 percent of the votes.

“I am grateful to the voters for this honor,” Grodman said. “I look forward to serving the people in the precinct by continuing to improve the Flagstaff Justice Court just like Judge Kolb has done over the last 10 years.”

Grodman is a licensed attorney in the county Public Defender’s Office who has more than 25 years of courtroom experience, he said. He also has experience as a pro tem judge for juvenile issues in Maricopa County.

Grodman said he would work toward establishing a Mental Health Court similar to one already functioning in the city’s Magistrate Court. Mental Health Courts attempt to divert severely mentally ill people out of the justice system by administering a plan to keep participants in treatment programs.

Grodman said his emphasis will be on being fair and efficient and that residents can expect someone who has a vision for reducing the revolving door offenders in the jail. He added that his experiences in juvenile and domestic violence issues help him understand that more serious crime can be deterred if dealt with early.

Justices of the peace preside over cases in the county involving traffic violations, landlord-tenant disputes, small claims disputes up to $10,000, and juvenile and adult criminal misdemeanor offenses.

They also hold trials, initial appearances and preliminary hearings in criminal matters. They issue warrants, orders of protection and injunctions against harassment.

On average, about 16,000 cases are filed in Flagstaff Justice Court each year.

• Mediator for Coconino County Superior Court’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Program
• Instructor of Law and Ethics at Northern Arizona University’s W. A. Franke College of Business
• University of Michigan Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctor Degrees
• My wife and I have enjoyed living in and raising our school-age children in Flagstaff since 1999