In a guest editorial published in The Croton Chronicle, Ali R. Jaffery laid out in his own words why he is running for Village Justice — and why the time for reform is now.
A Hudson Valley native, attorney, and Croton father, Ali is the son of Pakistani immigrants who came to this country in pursuit of a better life. He put himself through Rutgers University and New York Law School, and today runs a law practice dedicated to workers facing harassment and discrimination.
His legal experience includes serving as a judicial law clerk for the presiding judge of Hudson County, New Jersey — one of the state's largest court systems — where he managed weekly arraignments and saw firsthand what a well-run, accessible court looks like.
"I believe in a Village Court that is accessible, understandable, and responsive to the people it serves." — Ali R. Jaffery
Ali is proposing three concrete reforms: Spanish-language interpreters at every session, evening court hours for traffic cases so working residents don't have to miss a day of work, and modernized scheduling to reduce unnecessary hardship.
He also addresses the question of the court's future directly — making clear his commitment is to strengthen the institution, not relocate or dissolve it. And he pushes back on those who suggest he wait his turn: the community cannot afford to delay reforms that are already long overdue.
Ali has earned the endorsement of both the Democratic Party and the Working Families Party of Croton-on-Hudson.