Save the Date: Primary Election Day is Tuesday, June 25, 2024.
Hello & Welcome.
I am Judge Jill Polk, your Schenectady County Democratic Incumbent Family Court Judge.
Since taking the bench in January 2015, I have presided over approximately 13,000 matters: adoptions • juvenile delinquency • persons in need of supervision • custody & visitation • support and maintenance • paternity • family offenses • child protective abuse and neglect proceedings.
Please join me in my 2024 re-election campaign. Thank you.
Judge Jill Polk
approximately
13,000
matters
adoption • juvenile delinquency • persons in need of supervision • custody & visitation • support • guardianship • paternity • family offenses • child protective abuse and neglect proceedings
About me:
I am a public servant dedicated to the people of Schenectady County.
I have lived in Schenectady County for over 25 years, 21 of those years as a resident of Niskayuna. My daughter Isabella grew up here, went to Nisky schools, and is thriving here as a young adult.
My 35 years of legal experience include 9 years as your Schenectady County Family Court Judge, 14 years as an Attorney for Children in Schenectady County, and 3 years as a Schenectady County Assistant Public Defender in Family Court.
My impact:
Because Family Court deals with the most intimate and vulnerable parts of people’s lives, I implemented more humane courtroom procedures:
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Names, Not Numbers.
I require that cases be referred to by names and not just numbers.
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Ensuring Legal Representation.
I work hard to protect every person’s legal rights. I encourage people to obtain legal counsel and, if qualified, assign counsel to them.
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Planning Ahead.
It matters to me that cases are given pre-trial conferences and trial dates at the first appearance, and I’m proud that my court has a strong track record of providing them.
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Respecting Your Time.
I calendar each case for an individual time-slot of 30 minutes, so people know specifically when their case will be called and will have time to be heard.
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Requiring Respectful Representation.
I set a minimum expectation of engagement, preparation and performance for attorneys practicing before me.
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Advancing Family Court Programs
In collaboration with stakeholders, I created and implemented the Family Court U-CAN program.
U-CAN is a Court ordered & assisted probation program in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Our goal is to help young people in the justice system find a more constructive and positive path forward through mentorship.
In 2019, I received a commendation from NY First Lady Matilda Cuomo for my work on this program.
My leadership:
I take on leadership roles to ensure there is fair and respectful access to justice for all of the people I am elected to serve:
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I was the Supervising Judge for Family Treatment Court and am now a member of its Oversight Committee. Family Treatment Court is a valuable tool to assist and support individuals struggling with addiction. It is fundamental to the continued protection of children and reunification of families separated due to the impact of drug and alcohol abuse.
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I have been a Board member on the Family Court Judges Association Board of Directors for 8 years, a position that enables me to work closely with the New York State Legislature and Court Administration on issues, policies, and procedures that impact Family Court and Schenectady County Families’ access to justice
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I am a Commissioner on the statewide Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission
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I am a Member of the Diversity Committee for the Fourth Judicial District
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I am a Member of the Gender Fairness Committee for the Fourth Judicial District
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I participate in trainings at Albany Law School and volunteer as Judge for the Albany Law School Domenick L. Gabrielli Moot Court Competition & the Schenectady County High School Moot Court Competition.
