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David Zuckerman, a 23-year resident of New Castle, took over one of the two town justice positions in 2007 and is running for re-election in November in hopes of staying on the stand for at least another two years.
Zuckerman began his legal career in 1982 as assistant district attorney in The Bronx. Shortly after, he opened his own law practice with offices in Westchester and The Bronx. Before being elected to his current town justice position, he served as town prosecutor from 1992-2007.
Zuckerman recently sat down with The Daily Chappaqua to discuss his candidacy.
Why are you running for re-election?
Ive been in public service now for a quarter of a century and I will tell you that Ive never done anything as rewarding professionally as being a judge. Its a job I love. The days Im on the bench, I cant wait to get there. I love that job and thats why I want to keep doing it. Its the truth.
As a judge, what do you think you bring to the stand more than your opponent?
I have, objectively, more experience, better background, and more commitment to our town than our competitor [Kevin Moore] does. Im not comparing myself to Judge [Douglas] Kraus because were running together. Not only have I been a judge already in much busier courts than my own, I was an assistant ditrict attorney for four years. I handle the smallest cases up to murders. My experience is very significant as a litigator.
In terms of commitment to the town, I was on the Drug Abuse Prevention Council in our town. I was on that board for 16 years. I was at New Castle Cares. Im a volunteer EMT. Im certified by the state of New York. Im the guy in the ambulance when you call at three in the morning. When you call 911, Im the guy who shows up. Ive coached the high school mock trial team, I gave up my time to do that. And the soccer kids, the little league kids. Ive done all those things.
I have a commitment to this town. Ive lived here 23 years. My kids went right through all the schools. Im sure my opponent doesnt have anything near that in terms of commitment to the town, in terms of legal experience, and certainly in terms of judicial experience. I would say there are very few who do in the County.
Are there any changes you still want to make in the court?
Let me tell you about some of the things Ive already changed in the court. Weve made the court more efficient. Since Ive been here, we have all new technology equipment, which makes us faster and better serving to the public. It didnt cost the town a penny.
We now take credit cards, we have all the hardware to do that at no cost to the town. And, in fact, I set it up so theres no [processing fee]. There was a shooting in a town court just like ours a few years ago. I arranged for us to get a magnetometer for court nights at no cost to the town. It was free.
I set up an internship program for high school kids who are interested in law. Were starting up another one now. I take time out of my day and we talk about the court stuff. I let them come into our court and I give them one-on-one access to me. We set up court presentations to them with prosecutors and lawyers and cops. Thats all new stuff to our town, and Ive set all that up in the last four years.
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