Re-elect Judge
Brenda Freedman
to Erie County Family Court

Judge Brenda Freedman has served our community as a New York State, Erie County Family Court Judge since 2016. She handles both the Youth Part and the Juvenile Delinquency part for Erie County as well as matters of child abuse/neglect, domestic violence, custody/visitation, child support violations and contested paternity.  Prior to her election to the bench in 2015, Judge Freedman was a specially appointed Court Attorney Referee hearing divorces and family matters, a law clerk to a Supreme Court Judge and a practicing attorney since 1989. 

 

Judge Freedman is an outstanding jurist. She listens attentively, applies the law fairly and makes sound decisions in a timely manner. She brings both legal acuity and compassion to the bench.

 

Resume

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NYS Juvenile Justice Advisory Group (JJAG)

• Appointed by Governor to this commission; one of 2 judges on panel

• Group responsible for appropriation of approximately $2 million in federal Title II funds for use in juvenile justice in NYS

 

Raise the Age

• Appointed Lead Judge in the Eighth Judicial District to implement NYS’s Raise the Age legislation

• Co-chaired the Erie County Implementation Team to create the new Youth Part

• Represented the 8th Judicial District on the New York State Office of Court Administration’s Task Force for Raise the Age

• Responsible for judicial and attorney trainings locally and state-wide

 

Youth Empowerment Program

• Created event to reward youth who successfully completed probation or placement and remain arrest-free; Buffalo Bills attend and participate
   

Restorative Justice Program

• Initiated and developed a comprehensive program for Juvenile Delinquency and PINS cases

• 1st such program in New York State

• 75-80% of youth in the program do not re-offend

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Chair, Erie County Juvenile Justice Coalition

• Cross-systems committee to coordinate and maximize efficiencies and benefits to youth involved in the Juvenile Justice System

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Founder and Co-Chair with Buffalo Public Schools

• Anti-Bullying Task Force

• Truancy Prevention System

 

Awards (selected)

• Buffalo Law Review Distinguished Alumnus, 2023

• Liberty Bell Award, Bar Association of Erie County, 2020

• Whatever It Takes Award, MST Services, 2018

 

Family

• Husband: Martin E. Mutka, married 1993

• Children: Nathan (28 yrs.); Claire (26 yrs.); Gabriella (24 yrs.)

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