Candidate Profile: Hughes Wants Night Court, Better Security As Town Justice

To Brian Hughes, experience and fear of error are key elements for anyone working in the legal field.

And with over 25 years of trial and litigation work in courthouses in New York City and all over Long Island under his belt — and not one case overturned — Hughes said he believes he is the best candidate for

“There’s an old saying in our practice: ‘Good attorneys carry with them the fear of error,'” Hughes said during an interview Friday morning at his Southold home. “Because if an attorney or a judge makes a mistake, someone will pay for it, big time.”

, Hughes, 62, is a registered Republican who recently He said he was a bit disappointed with the loss but not surprised due to the fact that Judge Bruer has not run unopposed in 12 years.

Though Hughes, a Queens native who has practiced law in Southold for 13 years, said he never had grand aspirations to round-out his career in law sitting on the bench, his frustration with the “same old slate” the Republicans put on the table for this election made up his mind to run.

“It had to be done,” he said of his decision. “Instead of looking for the best, most qualified people, Republicans went again with an incumbent who has never tried a case.”

With volume of cases increasing at Southold Town Justice Court, Hughes said that court security and scheduling need to be seriously addressed. He said he is frustrated that security recommendations from a 2007 audit by the New York State Office of Court Administration were not implemented. Southold Town Justice Court is in session on Fridays in a room that doubles as the Town Hall’s meeting room. There is one armed security guard while court proceedings take place.

“I want to go back to that security report and see what can be done,” he said. “The people of Southold want to feel safe in court — especially in the light of these times.”

Hughes also wants to see the creation of a night court for the convenience of the working person.

“Currently there is no option for working people who need to take a day off just to pay a ticket,” he said.

Hughes said that his affection for Southold Town and support from Democrat and Republican colleagues alike are also motivating factors in his decision to run for Town Justice.

“For 40 years, I’ve defended people’s lives, property and rights,” he said. “It does not matter if you are Republican or Democrat — Southold is a great town and its people deserve someone experienced and qualified on the bench. This is the opportunity.”