Reopen the Grand Isle County Courthouse immediately

Reopen the Grand Isle County Courthouse immediately

The Issue

“[I]n those buildings which function exclusively as courthouses, security shall be under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court”. 29 V.S.A. § 171. Also, “[t]he right of access to justice is fundamental in our state constitution.” Zorn v. Smith, 19 A.3d 112, 117 (Vt. 2011).  To that end, with the Judiciary unilaterally closing the Grand Isle County Courthouse three-out-of-five days per week, Islanders are being denied equal access to justice, compared to the residents of the thirteen other counties in Vermont.

“The Courts of Justice [in Vermont] shall be open for the trial of all causes proper for their cognizance; and justice shall be therein impartially administered, without corruption or unnecessary delay. Vt. Const. CH II, § 28.

THE RESIDENTS OF GRAND ISLE COUNTY WANT OUR COURTHOUSE OPEN FULL TIME IMMEDIATELY LIKE ALL OTHER COURTHOUSES IN THE STATE.  

This petition had 183 supporters

The Issue

“[I]n those buildings which function exclusively as courthouses, security shall be under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court”. 29 V.S.A. § 171. Also, “[t]he right of access to justice is fundamental in our state constitution.” Zorn v. Smith, 19 A.3d 112, 117 (Vt. 2011).  To that end, with the Judiciary unilaterally closing the Grand Isle County Courthouse three-out-of-five days per week, Islanders are being denied equal access to justice, compared to the residents of the thirteen other counties in Vermont.

“The Courts of Justice [in Vermont] shall be open for the trial of all causes proper for their cognizance; and justice shall be therein impartially administered, without corruption or unnecessary delay. Vt. Const. CH II, § 28.

THE RESIDENTS OF GRAND ISLE COUNTY WANT OUR COURTHOUSE OPEN FULL TIME IMMEDIATELY LIKE ALL OTHER COURTHOUSES IN THE STATE.  

The Decision Makers

The Vermont Supreme Court
The Vermont Supreme Court
The Vermont Court Administrator
The Vermont Court Administrator
Vermont Judiciary
Vermont Judiciary

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Petition created on August 12, 2021